What does Seriation use to date objects?

Seriation is a relative dating method used in archaeology that analyzes the chronological sequence of artifacts and features based on changes in their styles over time. By examining the stylistic differences in ceramic artifacts, for example, archaeologists can establish a timeline that reflects cultural changes, technological advancements, or variations in craftsmanship.

This method relies on the principle that certain styles may become more or less popular over different time periods. As new designs emerge and older styles fade away, archaeologists can arrange items in a sequence that reflects their chronological order. This allows for the dating of artifacts based on their aesthetic characteristics rather than needing direct dates or historical records.

While the other choices relate to archaeological dating in different ways, they do not specifically pertain to the method of seriation as directly as the style of ceramic artifacts, which is foundational to its application.