The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Historical chronology is traditionally organized based on the Gregorian calendar, which utilizes the birth of Jesus Christ as the central reference point for dating events.Statement 1 is Correct: In the standard dating convention, years are counted from the date generally assigned to the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. Years following this date are traditionally referred to as AD (Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of the Lord").
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The letters BCE stand for 'Before Common Era', not 'Before Christian Era'. This notation is used in modern historical studies as a secular alternative to BC (Before Christ). Similarly, CE (Common Era) is used instead of AD.
Key Takeaway: While the reference point for the calendar remains the birth of Jesus Christ, modern historians prefer the terms BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) to maintain religious neutrality.