You are excavating a site in the Great Basin and you find a stratum that contains only Elko points. This indicates to you that the stratum dates to a particular period. The Elko point, in this example, can be referred to as a(n):
A) functional type.
B) temporal type.
C) seriated type.
D) morphological type.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Elko points are specific types of projectile points that are characteristic of a particular time period in the archaeological record of the Great Basin. Therefore, finding Elko points in a stratum would indicate that the stratum dates to that specific period, making the Elko point a temporal type. Temporal types are artifacts that serve as time markers, allowing archaeologists to date the layers in which they are found.

You Are Excavating a Site in the Great Basin and You