Home

Seriation

Seriation is a method used in archaeology and anthropology to establish a chronological sequence of events or objects. It is based on the principle that certain characteristics of artifacts or cultural features change over time, allowing for the comparison and ordering of items. This technique is particularly useful when absolute dating methods, such as radiocarbon dating, are not applicable or when the context of the artifacts is unclear.

The process of seriation involves identifying and analyzing a series of artifacts or features that are believed

Seriation is often used in conjunction with other dating methods to provide a more comprehensive understanding

to
have
been
created
or
used
at
different
times.
Researchers
look
for
consistent
changes
in
the
characteristics
of
these
items,
such
as
style,
material,
or
function.
By
comparing
these
changes,
they
can
establish
a
relative
sequence
of
the
items,
even
if
the
exact
dates
are
unknown.
of
the
timeline
of
a
site
or
culture.
It
is
particularly
valuable
in
the
study
of
prehistoric
and
ancient
cultures,
where
written
records
are
scarce
or
non-existent.
The
method
has
been
applied
to
a
wide
range
of
artifacts,
including
pottery,
tools,
and
architectural
features,
and
has
contributed
significantly
to
our
understanding
of
human
history
and
cultural
development.