How do scientists determine the age of ancient artifacts?
In: 1
Carbon dating is a process that merges chemistry and physics to determine the age of organic (once living) material. For example wood, or bone.
Living organisms absorb carbon 14, once they die they immediately stop absorbing carbon 14.
Carbon 14 will decay at a very predictable rate, and turn into other isotopes. By measuring the remains carbon 14 and other isotopes we can measure with great accuracy when those organic materials died (for example when a tree was cut down to be carved into some object).
This works to about 60,000 years.
We can use similar methods to measure other types of radioactive decay for inorganic material as well. For example if we find a Dino bone in volcanic ash many millions of years old, we can measure the devay of the materials in the ashe to deitmine its age. Radioactive materials decay at very predictable rates and turn into other materials so by measuring the material we can determine dates.
Another way is by a contextual study. So for example where was the object found?
Was it found at a specific depth in sedimentary Rock, which will allow us to understand against other known objects found in that same layer of rock and dirt.
We can study for example the writing or symbols on a Roman coin to understand against the historical record to know under which emperor it was minted.
Latest Answers