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 389
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
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Keywords
- archaeometric dating
- radiocarbon dating
- luminescence dating
- optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)
- dendrochronology
- relative and absolute dating
- dating organic residues
