Archaeology Term: Law of Superposition
The Law of Superposition is a fundamental principle in geology and archaeology that asserts the deeper layers of sediment or strata are older than the ones above them.
This law is based on the assumption that sediments or deposits are laid down in a sequential manner, with each new layer covering the previous one.
In archaeological contexts, the Law of Superposition is used to determine the relative age of artifacts, features, and other materials found at a site. When archaeologists excavate a site, they usually start from the surface and move downwards, revealing layers of soil or debris that were deposited over time.
Each layer, known as a stratum, represents a specific period of time, and its position can provide important information about the history of a site. As a result, by studying the sequence of layers, archaeologists can make inferences about the relative chronological order of human activity and environmental changes.
However, the Law of Superposition is only reliable if the strata have remained undisturbed. Natural events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or human activities such as construction and looting can disrupt the original layering, causing the younger strata to be found beneath older ones or even mixing the layers entirely.
Despite its limitations, the Law of Superposition remains a cornerstone of archaeological stratigraphy. It allows archaeologists to establish relative dating, helping them create a timeline of events at a particular site, even without precise calendar dates.
The principle also provides a foundation for other archaeological techniques, such as typology and seriation, where artifacts are grouped according to their similarities in style or technology. This allows archaeologists to compare different sites or regions and develop broader chronological frameworks for past human behavior.
The Law of Superposition plays a crucial role in archaeology by guiding the interpretation of stratigraphic sequences and offering insights into the relative age of materials found in excavation.
While it is not infallible, it provides a simple and effective method for understanding the chronological order of archaeological sites and the history they reveal.
