Term for archaeological methods for dating things?

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The discussion centers on the terminology used for archaeological dating methods, emphasizing that there is no single term encompassing all techniques. Key methods mentioned include radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology, and stratigraphy. The term "chronology" is identified as the science of locating historical events in time, while "palaeoarchaeology" is noted as a hybrid term relevant to the field. The conversation highlights the diversity of dating methods, which can include analyzing artifacts, language, and environmental factors.

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  • Understanding of archaeological terminology, including "radiocarbon dating" and "dendrochronology."
  • Familiarity with the concepts of "chronology" and "stratigraphy."
  • Knowledge of the differences between archaeology and palaeontology.
  • Awareness of how historical events are dated through various scientific methods.
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  • Research "radiocarbon dating" techniques and their applications in archaeology.
  • Explore "dendrochronology" and its significance in dating wooden artifacts.
  • Investigate "stratigraphy" and its role in understanding geological and archaeological layers.
  • Learn about "palaeoarchaeology" and its implications for studying ancient human history.
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Archaeologists, historians, anthropology students, and anyone interested in the methods used to date historical artifacts and events.

Stephen Tashi
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Is there a term for the general methods archeologists use to date things? - more general that the specific method of radiocarbon dating. "Historical markers" doesn't seem right.

An example is pull tabs on soda cans. There was short time period (in the USA) where the tabs came completely off the cans when you pulled them. So finding loose tabs would be a method of dating.

I predict another example will be the text of messages. With current technology, people who send texts and messages from their phones often produce weird spellings or correctly spelled words that are not the words they intended. Future technology will probably fix that.
 
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"Chronological dating" doesn't do it for you?
 
Since there is no one method, I doubt there's one term. They sometimes go by the style of weapons found, sometimes by the style of pottery, sometimes by tree rings, and it goes on and on.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
"Chronological dating" doesn't do it for you?
That's the name of WHAT they do. I think he's looking for the name of HOW they do it, such as radiocarbon dating.
 
Recent books and papers append the prefix paleo to the denotation specifically for human history. A period where ancient humans use stone tools is called paleolithic. The study of ancient human writing would be paleography. Other Greek or Latin prefixes specify general cases. So, determining age of logs by counting growth rings utilizes dendrochronology.

Anthropology texts seem to prefer appending archea. The study of human material and artifacts is archaeology. The study of any fossils is called palaeontology predating modern convention.

There are several terms for dating texts by analyzing language, word choice, spelling conventions, demographics, etc.
 
phinds said:
I think he's looking for the name of HOW they do it, such as radiocarbon dating.

If he's looking for a word other than "dating" that includes radioisotope dating, dendrochronology, geologic strata, etc. I don't think there is one in English. I bet German has a really long word for it, though!
 
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The learned term for dating something is
Chronology is the science of locating historical events in time. It relies upon chronometry, which is also known as timekeeping, and historiography, which examines the writing of history and the use of historical methods. ...

as stated in post #2. Cool thread though; as I found this hybrid term palaeoarchaeology.
 
Stephen Tashi said:
So finding loose tabs would be a method of dating.
See also "stratigraphy and bioturbation."
 

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