The chance discovery of the Kennewick man in 1996 opened a window to early human life in North America. This success might not have been possible, however, without researchers making comparisons of the remains to nearby plants, animals, and other parts of the remains to understand the context. This approach to dating is called ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The approach described involves comparing the fossil to other contextual information, which is the definition of relative dating. Absolute dating uses techniques like radiometric dating to determine a specific age, while stratigraphic dating involves examining layers of rock and sediment to understand the order in which they were deposited. While radiometric methods may have been used to confirm the general age of the Kennewick man, the comparison to nearby plants and animals implies a relative dating approach.

The Chance Discovery of the Kennewick Man in 1996 Opened