Relative dating

Relative dating is a method used by scientists to determine the age of rocks and fossils by comparing their positions in layers of sediment or rock. The principle is that layers deposited earlier are generally found below those deposited later, so by examining the sequence of layers, scientists can establish a chronological order. This helps in understanding the history of Earth's surface and the relative age of different fossils or features, without knowing their exact age in years. It provides a timeline based on the layering and position, rather than specific numerical dates.