Dating Technques Flashcards
What is the main objective of an archaeologist regarding dating?
To date a site and ascertain the age of the finds.
Why were early archaeologists hampered in their work?
They didn’t have dating techniques.
What are the two categories of dating methods?
- Relative dating
- Absolute dating
Define relative dating.
A non-scientific process by which ancient artifacts are sorted in order of age.
What is sequence dating used for?
Determining age by excavating layers of soil or sand.
What does seriation involve?
Organizing objects in order of simple to complex or complex to simple based on decoration, use, and shape.
What is typology in archaeology?
A form of seriation used to place items back together in order of age based on specific characteristics.
What does F.U.N. dating measure?
The amount of fluorine, uranium, and nitrogen left in bones and teeth.
Define absolute dating.
The process of using the calendar year to provide a date of remains, accounting for other scientific techniques.
What materials are used in radiocarbon dating?
Past living things, including organic materials, wood, bone, and shell.
How does dendrochronology work?
It analyzes tree ring thickness to provide information about weather patterns for that year.
What does potassium-argon dating measure?
The amount of remaining argon gas in volcanic rock and minerals.
What is thermoluminescence dating used for?
Dating pottery and clay by measuring the amount of light released when heated.
How does fission tracking determine age?
By counting microscopic tracks left by Uranium 238 as it breaks down.
What does archaeomagnetic dating measure?
The direction and strength of iron oxides in pottery and mud.
Fill in the blank: The most suitable dating method for an obsidian knife is _______.
Typology
Fill in the blank: The most suitable dating method for a leather sandal is _______.
Typology
Fill in the blank: The most suitable dating method for a woollen cloak is _______.
Radio Carbon
Fill in the blank: The most suitable dating method for a ceramic pot is _______.
Thermoluminescence
Fill in the blank: The most suitable dating method for an axe handle is _______.
Dendrochronology
Fill in the blank: The most suitable dating method for a papyrus scroll is _______.
Radio Carbon
