exam 4 Fossilzation and dating method Flashcards
what is a fossil?
remains of organs chemically changed into rocks
What is Taphonomy
Study of what happens to an organism after death. study of how an organsim becomes a fossil
What is the conditions for the best chance of fossilization
If they are protected from bacterial activity, scavengers, temperature and moisture fluctuations.
What kind of rocks are found in fossils and why?
Most fossils are found in sedmintary rocks, better temperature and less pressure
What is Stenos law of superposition
items found in the bottom are older than the ones found in the top
Cultural dating
Based on the type of style on the artifact. based on the artifacts surrounding we can date it accordingly
Relative dating techniques
Rely on simple observation skills
Relative vs. absloute dating techniques and how they differ
-Absolute dating provides more specific dates and time ranges than relative dating. Based on chemisty and physics, and based on radioactive decay
Dendrochronology
- dating method based on natural growth patterns of trees.
- Tree rings are used to date wood artifacts from ancient sites
Radio carbon C-14 dating
Absolute dating method based on the decay of 14C and unstable isotope of carbons
Half life
5730 years
What kind of material does it work on
Only works on the remains of biological organisms
How far back can radio carbon dating date thoings to
up to 50,000 years old
What element is being used in radio carbon dating
14C an unstable isotope of carbon
Limits of radio carbon dating
Cannot date older things or fossils
