But how do we date the writings? Any dating method that gave a date prior to one accepted by Biblical literalists would be said to be "inaccurate".
internally, from the last date of change (by means of anachronism). for instance, we can date genesis to about 900-600 bc, in it's final version. EARLIEST dates are harder.
externally, from the oldest copy we have, or oldest mention in another sources. for instance, we can date genesis's oldest known copy to about 200 bc.
Furthermore, have not human beings been around much longer than our writing?
exactly.
And yes, we could use pottery and what not, but that would just show us the earliest pottery.
much of the earliest writing
is pottery. the sumerians wrote on clay tablets.
Also, how would we date the pottery? I thought carbon dating was used on those sort of things to establish a general date.
carbon dating is only for organic matterial. besides, pottery is fired, which i'm pretty sure messes c-14 up. pottery is used as a guideline for dates. we know which periods and cultures in history made certain kinds of pottery based on where and when we find them. then when that piece of pottery is found elsewhere, we have a good stab when the site was occupied, and by whom. seems a little circular, i know. but it's not the only method of determining a date, and it's generally confirmed.
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