How are sites dated?
There are several different ways dating is accomplished. Relative dating is one method used, and this dates sites or objects based on known dates of objects found in association with them or through understanding the principles of stratigraphy. For example, if a projectile point is found in a lower layer than one in a higher layer, it can be stated that the unknown projectile point is older than the one above. (See Stratigraphy). No definite date can be assigned here. Absolute dating is the other method used, and it uses science to determine how old artifacts and sites are in years. There are several methods used, but one of the most common is radiocarbon dating. Radiocarbon dating operates on the fact that all living things have two different forms of the carbon isotope in them; and these two isotopes are at a constant known ratio while things are alive. Once death occurs, one of the carbon isotopes begins to decay, but the other one remains stable. This decay rate is known for carbon
