Radiocarbon Dating

Question 0

Half-life of 14C

Answer 0

5730+/-40 years

Question 1

Discovered

Answer 1

Willard Libby, 1949

Question 2

Effective time span usage

Answer 2

ca. 50,000 years ago to present 1950

Question 3

Why is present considered to be 1950?

Answer 3

TIme of major nuclear tests that contaminated the atmosphere with radioactive carbon

Question 4

Material used for dating

Answer 4

Any organic carbon in bone collagen, seeds, wood charcoal and soil

Question 5

Most important factor that affects radiocarbon dates

Answer 5

Changes over time in the rate of 14C formation in the atmosphere

Question 6

Calibration curves

Answer 6

Calibration against annually formed tree-rings, seasonally deposited lake sediments and corals

Question 7

Gobekli Tepe

Answer 7

Neolithic PPNA; 11,000 BP
Earliest reglious structures
Constructed with stone tools by hunter-gatherers: no evidence of domesticated plants or animals
Carefully buried when abandoned

Question 8

Catal Hoyuk

Answer 8

Discovered in 1950s by James Mellaart; Ian Hodder current director
PPNB; 9500-8000 BP
12 occupation levels, spans 32 acres, estimated population to be 2000 families, ca. 10,000 people
Houses built closely together; enter through roof, use areas clearly delineated
1 in 5 rooms was a shrine

Question 9

Murals at Catal Hoyuk

Answer 9

Very well preserved

Hunting scenes, vultures de-fleshing headless bodies, landscape scene of a mountain, geometric forms

Question 10

Secondary products revolution

Answer 10

Andrew Sherratt
Use of animals for blood, milk, wool and traction
7,000-6,000 BC

Question 11

More dependable food supply

Answer 11

Larger societies

Food surplus

Question 12

Food surplus

Answer 12

Division of labor
Trade
Accumulation of valued goods

Question 13

Accumulation of valued goods

Answer 13

Feuds and wars over possessions
Inequality increased
Wealth becomes hereditary
Power becomes concentrated and chiefs, kings and feudal societies emerge

Question 14

Feuds and wars

Answer 14

Slavery