About Dating the Past
Archaeologists use relative and absolute dating methods to place sites and objects in time. No single method works for every material or time period.
Stratigraphy
Explore the key ideas behind stratigraphy.
Learn MoreRadiocarbon Dating
Explore the key ideas behind radiocarbon dating.
Learn MoreTree Rings
Explore the key ideas behind tree rings.
Learn MoreTypology
Explore the key ideas behind typology.
Learn MoreCoins
Explore the key ideas behind coins.
Learn MoreThermoluminescence
Explore the key ideas behind thermoluminescence.
Learn MoreCalibration
Explore the key ideas behind calibration.
Learn MoreMultiple Lines of Evidence
Explore the key ideas behind multiple lines of evidence.
Learn MoreStratigraphy
Stratigraphy gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Radiocarbon Dating
Radiocarbon Dating gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Tree Rings
Tree Rings gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Typology
Typology gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Coins
Coins gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Thermoluminescence
Thermoluminescence gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Calibration
Calibration gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Multiple Lines of Evidence
Multiple Lines of Evidence gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.