Terms You Should Know
absolute dating Determination of age using a specific time-scale such as years before present (B.P.) or according to a fixed calendar.
archaeomagnetic dating Used for dating clay by examining the magnetic particles in the clay that record the direction of magnetic north at the time the clay was heated.
archaeometallurgy The study of the past use and production of metals by humans.
core A lithic artifact from which flakes are removed and used as a tool or a blank from which other tools are made.
direct dating Determination of the age of an artifact, ecofact, or feature through analysis of the object itself.
electron spin resonance (ESR) Effective for confirming dates obtained using other methods. Useful for materials that decompose when heated, such as tooth enamel.
ission track dating Determines age based on the natural splitting (fission) of Uranium‑238, which leaves tracks behind in the surface of the material.
requency seriation Placing artifact assemblages in serial order by examining the relative frequency of different types of artifacts.
half-life The number of years it takes for half of the radioactive element to decay.
igneous Volcanic rock, which contains radioactive Potassium‑40.
indirect dating Determination of the age of an artifact, ecofact, or feature by looking at its association with the matrix or object of a known age.
marine reservoir effect A phenomenon whereby the radiocarbon content of terrestrial organisms is not the same as marine organisms and organisms that ingest them.
metallographic analysis The study of the past use and production of metals by humans.
microscopic wear analysis A method of analysis that identifies the use and function of artifacts by examining their working surfaces and edges through magnification.
mtDNA dating Compares the DNA of individuals and populations found in their cells’ mitochondria to establish patterns of migration over time.
otassium-Argon dating (K/Ar) dating Half-life of 1.3 billion years. Most accurate for materials that are older than 1 million years.
adiocarbon dating An absolute dating technique based on the knowledge that living organisms build up organic carbon. When the organism dies, Carbon-14 (C-14) atoms disintegrate at a known rate, which makes it possible to calculate the date of an organic object by measuring the amount of C-14 in the sample.
radiometric dating Absolute dating techniques that measure the relative proportions of specific radioactive isotopes present in a sample.
relative dating Determination of chronological sequence based on associations and comparisons rather than a fixed time scale.
seriation A relative dating technique where artifacts are ordered chronologically based on the assumption that materials, manufacturing techniques, and decoration change over time and can be associated with a certain time period
tratigraphic dating A relative dating method where the age of an artifact, ecofact, or feature is determined by its association with the stratigraphic layer in which it was deposited.
stylistic seriation Placing artifact assemblages in serial order based on stylistic changes in their features.
terminus post quem The date after which a stratum, feature, or artifact must have been deposited.
thermoluminescence Effectively dates ceramics and glass that are 100 to 500,000 years old to determine the last time the material was heated.
trace analysis A means of identifying the source of artifacts and raw materials using techniques such as x-ray spectrometry to identify distinctive trace elements in stones and minerals
travertine Calcium carbonate, which is found in cave walls and floors.
uranium series dating Provides highly accurate dates for materials that are between 50,000 and 500,000 years old.
varves Paired layers of outwash gravel and sediment deposited in glacial lakes by retreating ice sheets.
vitrified Converted into glass or a glasslike substance, typically by exposure to heat.
Y chromosome dating Compares the DNA from Y chromosomes (male sex chromosomes) of individuals and populations to establish patterns of migration over time.
A derivative work from
"Digging into Archaeology: A Brief OER Introduction to Archaeology with Activities" by Amanda Wolcott Paskey and AnnMarie Beasley Cisneros, Faculty (Anthropology) at Cosumnes River College & American River College, ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative (OERI), 2020, under CC BY-NC 4.0.
