sequence dating

Typology is a method of classification that groups items based on shared attributes, aiding in the study of phenomena and variables. In archaeology, typologies are crucial for understanding the development of material culture over time.12

Sequence dating, also known as seriation, is a technique that uses shared typological features to establish a chronological order of artifacts or sites. This method was famously employed by Sir Flinders Petrie to determine the temporal sequence of Egyptian graves. By analyzing stylistic variations in artifacts, archaeologists can arrange them into a relative chronology, helping to fill gaps in the stratigraphic record and understand cultural change. This approach is fundamental to establishing a timeline in the absence of absolute dating methods.13