The table below shows the elevation at which different artifacts were found in an archeological dig.
| Artifact | Elevation |
| :------------ | :-------- |
| arrow head | 0 feet |
| bone | -465 feet |
| necklace | 569 feet |
| clay bowl | -853 feet |
| woven blanket | 1102 feet |
Which of these artifacts was discovered at the lowest elevation?
Answer (2)
List the elevations of all artifacts.
Identify the smallest (most negative) elevation.
Determine the artifact corresponding to the smallest elevation.
The clay bowl was discovered at the lowest elevation: clay bowl .
Explanation
Problem Analysis We are given a table that shows the elevation at which different artifacts were found. We need to determine which artifact was discovered at the lowest elevation. The lowest elevation corresponds to the most negative number.
Listing the Elevations Let's list the elevations of each artifact:
Arrow head: 0 feet
Bone: -465 feet
Necklace: 569 feet
Clay bowl: -853 feet
Woven blanket: 1102 feet
Finding the Minimum Elevation Now, we need to find the smallest (most negative) value among these elevations. Comparing the negative values, we have -465 and -853. Since -853 is less than -465, it is the smallest value.
Identifying the Artifact at the Lowest Elevation The artifact discovered at the lowest elevation is the clay bowl, which was found at -853 feet.
Final Answer Therefore, the artifact discovered at the lowest elevation is the clay bowl.
Examples
Understanding elevation is crucial in archeology. For instance, if artifacts are found at different elevations, archeologists can infer the relative ages of the artifacts. Lower elevations usually correspond to older artifacts due to the accumulation of layers of soil and sediment over time. This helps in reconstructing the history of a site and understanding the sequence of human activities that took place there. For example, finding a clay bowl at -853 feet and a woven blanket at 1102 feet suggests that the clay bowl is significantly older than the woven blanket, providing valuable insights into the site's history.
The artifact discovered at the lowest elevation is the clay bowl, found at -853 feet, which is the most negative elevation in the list of artifacts. In comparison to the other artifacts, the clay bowl is significantly deeper than any others listed. Analyzing elevations helps archaeologists understand the chronological context of artifacts found in an excavation site.
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