Brighten the Ages: Advances and Applications of Dating Methods
A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2024) | Viewed by 4248
Special Issue Editors
Interests: isotope geochemistry; accelerator mass spectrometry; 14C dating; stable isotope mass spectrometry; archaeometry
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue aims to explore the developments and applications of dating methods in archaeometry, shedding light on the innovations and challenges faced by researchers in recent decades. This Special Issue covers a wide range of dating methods applied to different archaeological materials (sediments, mortars, potteries, organic residues, metals, etc.) from absolute dating methods, such as radiocarbon dating and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), to relative dating methods. The latter comprises fundamental methods for establishing the chronological order of archaeological remains and artefacts. Unlike absolute dating, which provides specific calendar dates, relative dating focuses on determining the relative age of objects or layers within a site. Archaeologists use various techniques for relative dating, including stratigraphy and stylistic analysis. When combined with absolute dating methods, such as radiocarbon dating, relative dating contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the past.
In fact, absolute dating methods in archaeology play a crucial role providing actual chronological information for archaeological materials and sites. Several absolute dating techniques are employed by archaeologists to achieve this precision:
- Radiocarbon Dating (14C): Radiocarbon dating is perhaps the most well-known absolute dating method. It measures the decay of radioactive carbon isotopes (14C) present in organic materials like wood, bone, charcoal, etc., and inorganic materials, such us mortar binder.
- Luminescence Dating: Luminescence dating methods, such as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL), determine the time since certain minerals or sediments were last exposed to sunlight or heat. These methods are particularly useful for dating materials beyond the range of radiocarbon dating, reaching hundreds of thousands of years.
- Dendrochronology: or tree-ring dating, relies on the analysis of tree-ring patterns in ancient wood samples. Each ring represents a year of growth and can be matched with master chronologies, providing precise dating for wooden artefacts and structural elements.
- Potassium–Argon Dating: This method is used to date volcanic rock and minerals. It measures the ratio of potassium (40K) to argon (40Ar) isotopes, as potassium decays into argon over time. This technique is especially valuable for dating early human fossils and hominin sites.
- Uranium-Series Dating: Uranium-series dating methods focus on the radioactive decay of uranium isotopes in calcium carbonate deposits, such as cave formations (speleothems). By measuring the ratios of parent and daughter isotopes, archaeologists can establish ages for these formations and the archaeological materials within them.
- New Frontiers and Challenges: In addition to well-established methods, authors are encouraged to present research that explores new frontiers in archaeometry. This includes topics such as thermochronometry, dating materials older than 100,000 years or younger than 100 years, dating rock surfaces, dating complex archaeological structures, and much more.
Particular interest will be given in new techniques driven by a younger generation of researchers who are leading methodological innovation in archaeometry.
This Special Issue provides an opportunity to share the latest research and discoveries in the field of archaeometric dating, contributing to a deeper understanding of our past through the application of science and technology. Authors are invited to submit contributions that reflect the latest developments and emerging challenges in this critical field of archaeology.
Dr. Fabio Marzaioli
Dr. Giulia Ricci
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- archaeometric dating
- radiocarbon dating
- luminescence dating
- optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)
- dendrochronology
- relative and absolute dating
- dating organic residues
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
