An Overview of the Use of Absolute Dating Techniques in Ancient Construction Materials
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Geologic Time Two Ways to Date Geologic Events Steno's Laws
Frank Press • Raymond Siever • John Grotzinger • Thomas H. Jordan Understanding Earth Fourth Edition Chapter 10: The Rock Record and the Geologic Time Scale Lecture Slides prepared by Peter Copeland • Bill Dupré Copyright © 2004 by W. H. Freeman & Company Geologic Time Two Ways to Date Geologic Events A major difference between geologists and most other 1) relative dating (fossils, structure, cross- scientists is their concept of time. cutting relationships): how old a rock is compared to surrounding rocks A "long" time may not be important unless it is greater than 1 million years 2) absolute dating (isotopic, tree rings, etc.): actual number of years since the rock was formed Steno's Laws Principle of Superposition Nicholas Steno (1669) In a sequence of undisturbed • Principle of Superposition layered rocks, the oldest rocks are • Principle of Original on the bottom. Horizontality These laws apply to both sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Principle of Original Horizontality Layered strata are deposited horizontal or nearly horizontal or nearly parallel to the Earth’s surface. Fig. 10.3 Paleontology • The study of life in the past based on the fossil of plants and animals. Fossil: evidence of past life • Fossils that are preserved in sedimentary rocks are used to determine: 1) relative age 2) the environment of deposition Fig. 10.5 Unconformity A buried surface of erosion Fig. 10.6 Cross-cutting Relationships • Geometry of rocks that allows geologists to place rock unit in relative chronological order. • Used for relative dating. Fig. 10.8 Fig. 10.9 Fig. 10.9 Fig. 10.9 Fig. Story 10.11 Fig. -
Lab 7: Relative Dating and Geological Time
LAB 7: RELATIVE DATING AND GEOLOGICAL TIME Lab Structure Synchronous lab work Yes – virtual office hours available Asynchronous lab work Yes Lab group meeting No Quiz None – Test 2 this week Recommended additional work None Required materials Pencil Learning Objectives After carefully reading this chapter, completing the exercises within it, and answering the questions at the end, you should be able to: • Apply basic geological principles to the determination of the relative ages of rocks. • Explain the difference between relative and absolute age-dating techniques. • Summarize the history of the geological time scale and the relationships between eons, eras, periods, and epochs. • Understand the importance and significance of unconformities. • Explain why an understanding of geological time is critical to both geologists and the general public. Key Terms • Eon • Original horizontality • Era • Cross-cutting • Period • Inclusions • Relative dating • Faunal succession • Absolute dating • Unconformity • Isotopic dating • Angular unconformity • Stratigraphy • Disconformity • Strata • Nonconformity • Superposition • Paraconformity Time is the dimension that sets geology apart from most other sciences. Geological time is vast, and Earth has changed enough over that time that some of the rock types that formed in the past could not form Lab 7: Relative Dating and Geological Time | 181 today. Furthermore, as we’ve discussed, even though most geological processes are very, very slow, the vast amount of time that has passed has allowed for the formation of extraordinary geological features, as shown in Figure 7.0.1. Figure 7.0.1: Arizona’s Grand Canyon is an icon for geological time; 1,450 million years are represented by this photo. -
Ice-Core Dating of the Pleistocene/Holocene
[RADIOCARBON, VOL 28, No. 2A, 1986, P 284-291] ICE-CORE DATING OF THE PLEISTOCENE/HOLOCENE BOUNDARY APPLIED TO A CALIBRATION OF THE 14C TIME SCALE CLAUS U HAMMER, HENRIK B CLAUSEN Geophysical Isotope Laboratory, University of Copenhagen and HENRIK TAUBER National Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark ABSTRACT. Seasonal variations in 180 content, in acidity, and in dust content have been used to count annual layers in the Dye 3 deep ice core back to the Late Glacial. In this way the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary has been absolutely dated to 8770 BC with an estimated error limit of ± 150 years. If compared to the conventional 14C age of the same boundary a 0140 14C value of 4C = 53 ± 13%o is obtained. This value suggests that levels during the Late Glacial were not substantially higher than during the Postglacial. INTRODUCTION Ice-core dating is an independent method of absolute dating based on counting of individual annual layers in large ice sheets. The annual layers are marked by seasonal variations in 180, acid fallout, and dust (micro- particle) content (Hammer et al, 1978; Hammer, 1980). Other parameters also vary seasonally over the annual ice layers, but the large number of sam- ples needed for accurate dating limits the possible parameters to the three mentioned above. If accumulation rates on the central parts of polar ice sheets exceed 0.20m of ice per year, seasonal variations in 180 may be discerned back to ca 8000 BP. In deeper strata, ice layer thinning and diffusion of the isotopes tend to obliterate the seasonal 5 pattern.1 Seasonal variations in acid fallout and dust content can be traced further back in time as they are less affected by diffusion in ice. -
Recent Achievements in Archaeomagnetic Dating in the Iberian Peninsula: Application to Roman and Mediaeval Spanish Structures
Journal of Archaeological Science 35 (2008) 1389e1398 http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jas Recent achievements in archaeomagnetic dating in the Iberian Peninsula: application to Roman and Mediaeval Spanish structures M. Go´mez-Paccard a,*, E. Beamud b a Research Group of Geodynamics and Basin Analysis, Department of Stratigraphy, Paleontology and Marine Geosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Campus de Pedralbes, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain b Research Group of Geodynamics and Basin Analysis, Paleomagnetic Laboratory (UB-CSIC), Institute of Earth Sciences ‘‘Jaume Almera’’, Sole´ i Sabarı´s, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain Received 18 May 2007; received in revised form 25 September 2007; accepted 8 October 2007 Abstract Archaeomagnetic studies in Spain have undergone a significant progress during the last few years and a reference curve of the directional variation of the geomagnetic field over the past two millennia is now available for the Iberian Peninsula. These recent developments have made archaeomagnetism a straightforward dating tool for Spain and Portugal. The aim of this work is to illustrate how this secular variation curve can be used to date the last use of several burnt structures from Spain. Four combustion structures from three archaeological sites with ages ranging from Roman to Mediaeval times have been studied and archaeomagnetically dated. The directions of the characteristic remanent magnetization of each structure have been obtained from classical thermal and alternating field (AF) demagnetization procedures, and a mean direction for each combustion structure has been obtained. These directional results have been compared with the new reference curve for Iberia, providing archae- omagnetic dates for the last use of the kilns. -
Archaeological Tree-Ring Dating at the Millennium
P1: IAS Journal of Archaeological Research [jar] pp469-jare-369967 June 17, 2002 12:45 Style file version June 4th, 2002 Journal of Archaeological Research, Vol. 10, No. 3, September 2002 (C 2002) Archaeological Tree-Ring Dating at the Millennium Stephen E. Nash1 Tree-ring analysis provides chronological, environmental, and behavioral data to a wide variety of disciplines related to archaeology including architectural analysis, climatology, ecology, history, hydrology, resource economics, volcanology, and others. The pace of worldwide archaeological tree-ring research has accelerated in the last two decades, and significant contributions have recently been made in archaeological chronology and chronometry, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and the study of human behavior in both the Old and New Worlds. This paper reviews a sample of recent contributions to tree-ring method, theory, and data, and makes some suggestions for future lines of research. KEY WORDS: dendrochronology; dendroclimatology; crossdating; tree-ring dating. INTRODUCTION Archaeology is a multidisciplinary social science that routinely adopts an- alytical techniques from disparate fields of inquiry to answer questions about human behavior and material culture in the prehistoric, historic, and recent past. Dendrochronology, literally “the study of tree time,” is a multidisciplinary sci- ence that provides chronological and environmental data to an astonishing vari- ety of archaeologically relevant fields of inquiry, including architectural analysis, biology, climatology, economics, -
Scientific Dating of Pleistocene Sites: Guidelines for Best Practice Contents
Consultation Draft Scientific Dating of Pleistocene Sites: Guidelines for Best Practice Contents Foreword............................................................................................................................. 3 PART 1 - OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................. 3 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 3 The Quaternary stratigraphical framework ........................................................................ 4 Palaeogeography ........................................................................................................... 6 Fitting the archaeological record into this dynamic landscape .............................................. 6 Shorter-timescale division of the Late Pleistocene .............................................................. 7 2. Scientific Dating methods for the Pleistocene ................................................................. 8 Radiometric methods ..................................................................................................... 8 Trapped Charge Methods................................................................................................ 9 Other scientific dating methods ......................................................................................10 Relative dating methods ................................................................................................10 -
The Physical Evolution of the North Avon Levels a Review and Summary of the Archaeological Implications
The Physical Evolution of the North Avon Levels a Review and Summary of the Archaeological Implications By Michael J. Allen and Robert G. Scaife The Physical Evolution of the North Avon Levels: a Review and Summary of the Archaeological Implications by Michael J. Allen and Robert G. Scaife with contributions from J.R.L. Allen, Nigel G. Cameron, Alan J. Clapham, Rowena Gale, and Mark Robinson with an introduction by Julie Gardiner Wessex Archaeology Internet Reports Published 2010 by Wessex Archaeology Ltd Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, SP4 6EB http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Copyright © Wessex Archaeology Ltd 2010 all rights reserved Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No. 287786 Contents List of Figures List of Plates List of Tables Editor’s Introduction, by Julie Gardiner .......................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION The Severn Levels ............................................................................................................................ 5 The Wentlooge Formation ............................................................................................................... 5 The Avon Levels .............................................................................................................................. 6 Background ...................................................................................................................................... 7 THE INVESTIGATIONS The research/fieldwork: methods of investigation .......................................................................... -
Personal Details: Relative Dating Methods Archaeology; Principles
Component-I (A) – Personal details: Archaeology; Principles and Methods Relative Dating Methods Prof. P. Bhaskar Reddy Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Prof. K.P. Rao University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. Prof. K. Rajan Pondicherry University, Pondicherry. Prof. R. N. Singh Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. 1 Component-I (B) – Description of module: Subject Name Indian Culture Paper Name Archaeology; Principles and Methods Module Name/Title Relative Dating Methods Module Id IC / APM / 17 Pre requisites Objectives Archaeology / Stratigraphy / Dating / Keywords Geochronology E-Text (Quadrant-I) : 1. Introduction In archaeology, the material unearthed in the excavations and archaeological remains surfaced and documented in the explorations are dated by following two methods namely, absolute dating method and relative dating method. In the former method, the artefacts are being preciously dated using various scientific techniques and in a few cases it is dated based on the hidden historical data available with historical documents such as inscriptions, copper plates, seals, coins, inscribed portrait sculptures and monuments. In the latter method, a tentative date is achieved based on archaeological stratigraphy, seriation, palaeography, linguistic style, context, art and architectural features. Though the absolute dates are the most desirable one, the significance of relative dates increases manifold when the absolute dates are not available. Till advent of the scientific techniques, most of the archaeological and historical objects were dated based on relative dating methods. Archaeologists are resorted to the use of relative dating techniques when the absolute dates are not possible or feasible. Estimation of the age was merely a guess work in the initial stage of archaeological investigation particularly in 18th-19th centuries. -
Luminescence Dating
1. Introduction and Application 3. Field Supplies and Sampling Luminescence dating is utilized in a number of geologic and archaeologic studies to obtain a depositional (burial) age on alluvium, colluvium, eolian, glacial, marine, paleontological, biological and anthropogenic sediment or rock. Exposure to sufficient sunlight (290-3200nm) or heat (>500°C) will reset any previous luminescence signal to zero. After removal from the stimulation source, ionizing energy from radioactive decay in surrounding sediment/rock (15-30cm) and within the mineral grain will excite atomic orbital electrons- some will get trapped in mineral lattice defects. This trapping and storing effectively acts as a clock and accumulation of electrons will continue until the trap becomes saturated, or a stimulating source aids in their escape back to their original orbit. Upon trap departure, some electrons will Figure 1. Required gear used for tube-sample collection method produce a photon of light when the stored energy is released. in luminescence dating. (A) Measuring tape for burial depth, In the lab, this light energy (luminescence) is then calibrated to important for cosmic DR. (B) For DE sample, OSL sampling tube radiation doses for deriving a geologic radiation dose (metal or other opaque material) sharpened at one end and pre- equivalent, known as Equivalent Dose (DE) in grays (Gy) of loaded with a styrofoam plug on the sharpened end to limit radiation. The natural decay of radioelements in the sediment shaking during pounding. (C) Rubber end caps for tube sedimentary environment and from cosmogenic fall out (up to (tinfoil and duct tape can be substituted if not available). -
Ice-Core Dating and Chemistry by Direct-Current Electrical Conductivity Kenorick Taylor
The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Earth Science Faculty Scholarship Earth Sciences 1992 Ice-core Dating and Chemistry by Direct-current Electrical Conductivity Kenorick Taylor Richard Alley Joe Fiacco Pieter Grootes Gregg Lamorey See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ers_facpub Part of the Glaciology Commons, Hydrology Commons, and the Sedimentology Commons Repository Citation Taylor, Kenorick; Alley, Richard; Fiacco, Joe; Grootes, Pieter; Lamorey, Gregg; Mayewski, Paul Andrew; and Spencer, Mary Jo, "Ice- core Dating and Chemistry by Direct-current Electrical Conductivity" (1992). Earth Science Faculty Scholarship. 273. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ers_facpub/273 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Earth Science Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Kenorick Taylor, Richard Alley, Joe Fiacco, Pieter Grootes, Gregg Lamorey, Paul Andrew Mayewski, and Mary Jo Spencer This article is available at DigitalCommons@UMaine: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ers_facpub/273 Journal of Glaciology, Vo!. 38, No. 130, 1992 Ice-core dating and chentistry by direct-current electrical conductivity KENORICK TAYLOR, Water Resources Center, Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada System, Reno, Nevada, U.S.A. RICHARD ALLEY, Earth System Science Genter and Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. JOE FIACCO, Glacier Research Group, Institute of the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, U.S.A. PIETER GROOTES, Qyaternary Isotope Laboratory, University of Washington, Seatae, Washington, U.S.A. -
Ervan Garrison Second Edition
Natural Science in Archaeology Ervan Garrison Techniques in Archaeological Geology Second Edition Natural Science in Archaeology Series editors Gu¨nther A. Wagner Christopher E. Miller Holger Schutkowski More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/3703 Ervan Garrison Techniques in Archaeological Geology Second Edition Ervan Garrison Department of Geology, University of Georgia Athens, Georgia, USA ISSN 1613-9712 Natural Science in Archaeology ISBN 978-3-319-30230-0 ISBN 978-3-319-30232-4 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-30232-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2016933149 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. -
Relative Dating Unit B
Geologic Time Part I: Relative Dating Unit B Unit A James Hutton conceived of the Principle of Uniformitarianism at Sicar Point, Scotland in 1785. Think about how much time would pass to create the rock record shown above. What sequence of events would occur to produce the above record? Unit B Unit A 1. Deposition of sediment comprising Unit A (Sedimentation rates in the deep ocean range from .0005 - .001 mm per year). How long would it take to accumulate 200 meters of sediment?) 2. burial compaction & lithification of Unit A, 3. deformation (folding) of Unit A, 4. uplift and erosion of Unit A, 5. Deposition of sediment (Unit B), 6. burial compaction & lithification of Unit B, 7. deformation (folding) of Unit B, 8. uplift and erosion of Unit B. These geologic events require millions of years of time! Principle of Original Horizontality: Layered sedimentary rock is typically deposited horizontally, but can be deformed by tectonic processes. Can you think of a depositional environment where sedimentary layers are not deposited horizontally? Geologists use sedimentary structures to determine whether sedimentary layers or beds are right-side up, vertical or overturned. The Principle of Uniformitarianism states that the “present is the key to the past.” Those processes operating at the earth’s surface today are inferred to have operated in the past, such as the mudcracks forming in a playa lake today. Note the blowing sand in the background will fill in the cracks. The mudcracks shown above formed over 1.1 billion years ago in a dry lake basin are now found in Glacier National Park, Montana.