Final answer:
Seriation and stratigraphy are forms of relative dating methods used in archaeology to establish the chronological order of artifacts and geological layers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Seriation and stratigraphy are forms of relative dating methods used in archaeology to determine the chronological order of artifacts and geological layers.
Stratigraphy is based on the observation that soil is deposited in successive layers or strata. The oldest layers, including the artifacts found within them, are located at the bottom, while more recent layers are on top. By analyzing the order of these layers, archaeologists can establish a relative timeline for the artifacts.
Seriation, on the other hand, involves placing similar artifacts from the same area in a chronological sequence. It is often used when stratigraphy cannot be applied due to the absence of evidence or the inability to sequence layers.