Question

How does a time line identify dates before the Common Era (BCE)?

The dates are evenly spaced.
The dates are only estimates.
The dates are like negative numbers.
The dates are placed in chronological order.

Answer 1

A timeline identifies dates before the Common Era (BCE) as **negative numbers**. In this system, time is typically counted backward from year 1 CE (Common Era) (which is equivalent to AD 1), so for instance, 500 BCE is represented as -500 on a number line. This helps in understanding the chronological position of events and allows for the easy comparison of dates across different eras.