Why Do Archaeologists Use a Datum Point Rather Than Simply

question 2

Multiple Choice

Why do archaeologists use a datum point rather than simply measuring from the ground surface?

• A) The datum point provides a universal reference point that can be used across any archaeological site, allowing archaeologists to easily compare data between excavations.
• B) While vertical provenience could easily be measured from the ground surface, obtaining accurate horizontal provenience would be much more difficult without a datum point.
• C) The ground surface does not have the same elevation consistently across a site while a datum point provides a fixed reference.
• D) Use of a datum point is an archaeological tradition established in the early 20th century; while it serves no useful purpose, it is an example of how outdated excavation methodology is still embedded in archaeology today.

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