B.P. (Before Present)

B.P., or "Before Present," is a time scale used primarily in fields like archaeology and geology to date events or materials. The term "present" is typically defined as the year 1950, when radiocarbon dating became widely used. Therefore, 1,000 B.P. would mean 1,000 years before 1950, or the year 950. This system helps researchers communicate dates in a standardized way, particularly when working with ancient artifacts or geological layers, allowing for clearer understanding of historical timelines.