Which helps scientists determine the age of fossils?

Scientists determine the age of fossils primarily through two methods: relative dating and absolute dating. Relative dating involves comparing the fossil's position in sedimentary rock layers to other fossils, establishing a sequence of events. Absolute dating, often through radiometric techniques like carbon dating, measures the decay of radioactive isotopes within or around the fossil, providing an estimate of its actual age in years. Together, these methods offer a comprehensive understanding of a fossil's age and the geological timeframe in which it existed.