A Short Course in Scientific Dating Methods
Stratigraphy and Seriation
An introduction to relative dating--the first ways used by archaeologists to tell how old one site, one part of a site, or one object is, relative to another.
Chronological Markers and Dendrochronology
This lesson includes an introduction to absolute dating, as well as descriptions of the techniques using chronological markers and dendrochronology.
The Radiocarbon Revolution
An introduction to the first method developed using the measurement of biologrical processes.
New Fangled Methods
Dating techniques such as obsidian hydration, potassium-argon and fission track are not really new, except to an archaeologist, who believes anything under a century is new.
A Few Cautionary Notes
All dating techniques work to one degree or another; but all need to be used with some caution. Here's why and how you can overcome the obstacles.