An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c10.s1.1

v1.c10.s1.1

Archaeological dating is based on the correlation of archaeological material to stratigraphy by the building up of a sequence, followed by a construction of time-scale on the basis of chronologically identifiable material either available at the same site in defined horizons or in relation to the ‘co-existing literate and historical communities with a time-scale of their own’ (Piggott, 1959, p. 51). For prehistoric remains ‘the occurrence of archaeological material in naturally stratified deposits . . . can be used to arrange them in a relative sequence based on geology and palaeobotany’ (*ibid.*, p. 63). Archaeological dating is thus basically relative chronology which ‘establishes sequence but not absolute date’ (Renfrew, 1976, p. 25) and is ‘concerned with the chronological position of specific sites and site level assemblages in relation to various cultures over time within defined geographical areas’ (Brunswig, 1975, p. 111). Determination of the chronology of archaeological sites is possible by invoking the principles of stratigraphy and typology and without reference to literary history (Childe, 1956, pp. 34-5). It also implies technological and evolutionary model and diffusion and direct or indirect connections and/or similarities between cultures.