Levels of Confidence in Assignment of Time Periods to Ancient Names and Locations in AWMC Publications

confident

All commentators are confident in associating this name or location with this time period on the basis of textual and/or archaeological evidence that has been securely dated to the period in question

confident, but inferred (i.e., no contemporary evidence)

All commentators are confident in associating this name or location with this time period; however this assessment is based on inference from textual and/or archaeological evidence that dates to other periods (i.e., there is no contemporary evidence)

less confident

Most commentators are confident, or relatively confident, that the name or location in question can be associated with this time period on the basis of textual and/or archaeological evidence; however, some substantive hesitancy or disagreement in interpretation of evidence exists on the part of one or more commentators, or there is some insecurity with respect to the dates of the relevant evidence

less confident and inferred (i.e., no contemporary evidence)

Most commentators are confident, or relatively confident, that the name or location in question can be associated with this time period; moreover, this assessment is based on inference from textual and/or archaeological evidence that dates to other periods (i.e., there is no contemporary evidence)