Question

Upper levels found by archaeologists reveal older objects.
(State whether the statement is True/False)

Answer 1

Hint: Stratigraphy is the study of layered materials. This is used by archaeologists in determining the dates of a particular artefact which they have excavated. Archaeological stratigraphy has been derived from geographical stratigraphy.

Complete answer: - The given statement is false.
- In stratigraphy, archaeologists start by studying the uppermost layers of Earth which is the newest layer, and the bottom-most layer is the oldest.
- If a settlement had started 2000 years ago on flat land and the archaeologists attempt to excavate the artefacts, then they will start digging because overtime the surface has risen because of weathering, waste material, constructions and other reasons
- So, when this land is dug the upper layers of the earth are newer than the lower levels.
Therefore, the correct answer is ‘false’.

Note: An example of this would be the excavation of Mehergarh which is an archaeological site in Pakistan. In the upper layers, evidence of animal bones was found, like those of pig and deer. In the oldest levels bones of cattle were found suggesting that these were domesticated by the people.