So I get how carbon dating works. What confuses me is if a tool is found that is made out of rock, how do scientists differentiate between the age of the rock itself and the age of the tool (when it was shaped)?
In: Chemistry
Obsidian tools like arrowheads can be dated extremely accurately. When you chip obsidian that fresh obsidian begins to develop a rind of sorts as it’s exposed to water in the atmosphere. Much like carbon dating this happens at a very predictable rate. This in conjunction with superposition adds more accuracy. I’m not an expert I just took one class in college. I’m sure someone more educated can go into specifics.
Latest Answers