Radiocarbon dating of organic artifacts can determine age up to about 50,000 years. For a dig site where pottery was found alongside organic material dated to 3,000 BCE, archaeologists often assume the pottery has a similar age. However, sites with continuous habitation can show 'mixing'—older and newer items deposited together through human activity or natural processes.
It can be inferred from the text that
radiocarbon dating can determine the age of pottery directly
dating archaeological artifacts requires consideration of site context and deposition patterns
items found together are always from the exact same time period
all archaeological sites have continuous habitation
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. Mixing complicates direct age transfer from dated to undated items.
- Context clues: Pottery age is "assumed" from nearby dated objects; but "mixing" can place items of different ages together.
- Meaning: Site formation processes must be considered when interpreting dates.
- Verify: The caution about continuous habitation shows context matters.
💡 Strategy: When assumptions can be violated, infer the need for careful contextual analysis.
Choice A is incorrect because radiocarbon dates "organic" material; pottery age is assumed by association. Choice C is incorrect because "mixing" means items can be from different periods. Choice D is incorrect because mixing is a concern at sites "with continuous habitation"—implying not all sites have it.