Dating Methods in Archaeology Explained
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ScribdTranslationsDating Methods in Archaeology Explained
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsFaculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Macaé.
Aluno: Rodrigo Gomes de Barcelos - 3º Período
Discipline: Archaeology
Teacher: Marcelo
Dating Methods
• Introduction
Dating is the determination of the age of an object, natural phenomenon, or a series.
of events.
A large part of the work of archaeologists consists of establishing a
chronology, and for this they used to rely, in the past, only on relative dating methods.
These were based on the fact that if the lands had not been disturbed, the layer
the closest to the surface would be the most recent. In this way, it was possible to calculate the
age of the latest layers and also of the fossils found in them. But these methods
they were not accurate, there are many areas of the planet where there are no sediments and there are areas
where the lands have suffered failures and other transformations. The advancement of knowledge
The origins of man are only possible due to the improvement of dating methods.
Before reaching the process of absolute dating, the margin of error was very large.
and sometimes led the specialists to be mistaken.
• Dating Methods
Relative Dating
Before the 20th century, archaeologists and geologists were essentially limited to
use of relative dating techniques. Estimates of the absolute age of events
geological and prehistoric studies amounted to little more than well-crafted conjectures,
given that there was no scientific basis to test these proposals. However, as the
basic principles of relative dating progressed throughout the 19th century,
researchers were able to accurately determine the relative age of many
archaeological and geological materials.
Relative Dating Methods
Stratigraphic Dating
Stratigraphic dating is carried out through the interpretation of significance.
two strata, or layers, geological or archaeological. The method starts with the
careful drawing and description of the strata (the geological or archaeological profile).
Sequencing
Seriation is an archaeological technique involving the description of changes.
stylistic aspects in artifacts and the variations in the popularity of different styles, in order to
describe accurately the sequence of variation over time. The seriation of
stratified deposits allow archaeologists to assess the relative age of certain
styles
Biological Criteria
Biological criteria can also serve as a means for relative dating. Fossils are
useful because certain sets of species are characteristic of certain periods
geological. Pollen analysis, or palynology, involves the microscopic examination of the grains of
fossil pollen in stratified peats and lake deposits.
2. Absolute Dating
Absolute dating can be achieved through the use of historical records and
through the analysis of biological and geological patterns resulting from variations
annual climatic conditions, such as tree growth rings (dendrochronology) and analysis
of varvas. After 1950, the physical sciences contributed a number of techniques of
absolute dating that had a revolutionary effect on archaeology and geology. These techniques
are based on the measurement of radioactive processes (radiocarbon; potassium-argon, the
uranium lead, thorium lead, etc; fission trace; thermoluminescence; reminiscence
optically stimulated and electron spin resonance), chemical processes (racemization of
amino acid and hydration of obsidian), and the magnetic properties of materials
igneous and sedimentary deposits (Paleomagnetism). Other techniques are
occasionally useful, for example, historical or iconographic references to events
dateable astronomical events, such as solar eclipses (archaeoastronomy).
Historical References
When archaeologists have access to the historical records of civilizations that
they had calendars that counted and recorded the passage of years, the actual age of
archaeological material can be verified, as long as there is some basis for
correlate our modern with the ancient calendar.
Dendrochronology
In dendrochronology, the age of the wood can be determined through
counting the number of annual rings in its cross-section. The growth ring
the trees reflect the precipitation conditions that prevailed during their years of
life. Because rainfall patterns vary annually, a particular set of patterns
the rings in trees of a region will form a relatively distinct pattern,
identifiable with a specific set of years.
Varvas Method
The varves clay method is applied with precision in deposits up to 12,000 years.
Streams flowing into stable bodies, such as lakes, commonly deposit layers.
silt in the summer and clay in the winter throughout the year.
Methods with Radioactivity (Carbon 14)
The most widely used and accepted absolute dating methods are based on
in the natural radioactivity of certain minerals found in rocks. Once the rate
the radioactive decay of a certain isotope is known, the age of a
sample can be computed from the relative proportions of radioactive materials
remnants and their decay products.
Paleomagnetic Dating
Paleomagnetic dating is based on changes in the orientation and intensity of
Earth's magnetic field that occurred over time. The characteristics
magnetic of the object or area (for example, a section of the sea) in question were
equivalent to a time frame in which the Earth's magnetic characteristics were
similar. Paleomagnetic dating is also based on the fact that the Earth
periodically reverses the polarity of its magnetism.
Chemical Dating
Os métodos de datação química são baseados em alterações químicas previsíveis que
occur over time.