Archaeometry: Radiocarbon dating

Claire Santhaseelan z3414481 SCIF1121

Overview
Archaeometry
What is it? Techniques

What can it tell us?

Radiocarbon dating
Basis Limitations

What is archaeometry?
Use of scientific techniques to analyse archaeological remains

Different fields study different remains:

Paleoethnobotany Zooarchaeology

Techniques:
Radio-carbon dating X-ray fluoresence Dendrochronology

What can it tell us?

Artefact composition and provenance Landscapes, climates, flora and fauna

Diet, health and pathology of human societies

Absolute and relative chronologies

Timeline of prehistoric Ohio

http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/images/1554.jpg

Dating

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/W_gnCAQQcbs/TzVMIM0QXPI/AAAAAAAAIy0/_o1uTOEPclM/s1600/dating13449.jpg

Radiocarbon dating - basis

Living organisms maintain a ratio of carbon-14 (14C) and carbon-12 in their bodies roughly equal to that in the environment

Upon dying, the 14C in their bodies begins radioactive decay to 14N
14C

half-life = 5730 years

Graph showing the half-life/radioactive decay of carbon-14

http://www.physlink.com/education/askexperts/ae403.cfm

Radiocarbon dating - limits

Only usable with organic material

Accurate between a few hundred to 50,000 years old Comparison to atmospheric levels requires estimation or previous knowledge

Summary
Archaeometry involves analysis of archaeological remains using scientific techniques Techniques: radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology

Inform us of: past conditions, artefact composition and provenance, chronologies

Radiocarbon dating: estimates lifetime of organic material by measuring 14C, but has limitations

References
Dumitriu, I., Fierascu, R. C. and Ion, R-M. (2011) Analytical Methods in Archaeometry: Study of Support Material Scientific Study & Research Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Food Industry 12: 17-24

Killick, D. and Young, S.M.M (1997) Archaeology and Archaeometry: From Casual Dating to a Meaningful Relationship? Antiquity 273: 518-524
Kotz, J. C., Treichel, P. and Townsend, J. R. (2009) Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity. Thomson Brooks/Cole, Belmont

Questions?