Chronometric dating has revolutionized archaeology by allowing highly accurate dating of historic artifacts and materials with a range of scientific techniques.

What is an example of Chronometric dating?

Chronometric methods include radiocarbon, potassium-argon, fission-track, and thermoluminescence. The most commonly used chronometic method is radiocarbon analysis. It measures the decay of radioactive carbon (14C) that has been absorbed from the atmosphere by a plant or animal prior to its death.

What is Chronometric dating used for?

Absolute, or chronometric dating methods reveal the age, measured in calendar years, of materials, objects or events. Chronometric dating methods (see Fig. 88) make use of a variety of physical or chemical measurements to ascertain the time when events occurred or when materials and objects were made, used, or altered.

What is cultural dating in archaeology?

Dating in archaeology is the process of assigning a chronological value to an event in the past. Philosophers differ on how an event is defined, but for cultural history, it can be taken as a change in some entity: the addition, subtraction, or transformation of parts. Events can be considered at two scales.