7.3: Voice From the Past
- Page ID
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WHAT FOSSILS CAN TELL US
Dating Methods
Relative Dating
Dating techniques that refer to a temporal sequence (i.e., older or younger than others in the reference) and do not estimate actual or absolute dates.
A relative dating method that is based on ordered layers or (strata) that build up over time.
The scientific law that states that rock and soil are deposited in layers, with the youngest layers on top and the oldest layers on the bottom.
A relative dating method that uses other plant and animal remains occurring in the stratigraphic context to establish time depth.
The relative dating method that arranges human-made artifacts in a time frame from oldest to youngest based on material, production technique, style, and other features.
A relative dating method that analyzes the absorption of fluorine in bones from the surrounding soils.
Chronometric Dating
Dating methods that give estimated numbers of years for artifacts and sites.
Matter that cannot be broken down into smaller matter.
A small building block of matter.
Variants of elements. Two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons, giving them the same chemical properties but different atomic masses.
Variants of elements that do not change over time without outside interference.
Variants of elements that spontaneously change into stable isotopes over time.
The process of transforming the atom by spontaneously releasing energy.
The chronometric dating method based on the radioactive decay of 14C in organic remains.
A chronometric dating method that measures the ratio of argon gas in volcanic rock to estimate time elapsed since the volcanic rock cooled and solidified. See also argon-argon dating.
A chronometric dating method that measures the ratio of argon gas in volcanic rock to estimate time elapsed since the volcanic rock cooled and solidified. See also potassium-argon dating.
A chronometric dating method that is based on the fission of 283U.
The chronometric dating method based on the buildup of background radiation in pottery, clay, and soils.
A chronometric dating method that measures the background radiation accumulated in material over time.
A chronometric dating method that uses the annual growth of trees to build a timeline into the past.
A chronometric dating method that measures the ratio of L-form to D-form amino acids in shell, bone, and teeth to establish elapsed time since death.
Periods in Earth’s history when magnetic north and south move significantly from their current positions.
Environmental Reconstruction
A cylindrical sample of soil and sediments that can be analyzed to study plant and animal presence in a location, or more broadly to determine a regional environment.
Global Temperature Reconstruction
Periods characterized by low global temperatures and the expansion of ice sheets on Earth’s surface.
Microscopic single-celled organisms with a shell that are common in all marine environments. The fossil record of foraminifera extends back well over 500 million years.
Diet Reconstruction
Migration
SUMMARY
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FIGURE ATTRIBUTION
Figure 7.3.1 Stratigraphic cross-section original to Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology by Mary Nelson is under a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.
Figure 7.3.2 Bronze Age implements, ornaments and pottery (Period II) by Wellcome Collection is used under a CC BY 4.0 License.
Figure 7.3.3 Sterkfontein Piltdown man by Anrie is used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 License.
Figure 7.3.4 Atom Diagram by AG Caesar is used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 License.
Figure 7.3.5 Radiocarbon dating original to Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology by Mary Nelson is under a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.
Figure 7.3.6 Çjkgfmj by Abdulkadirtiryaki is used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 License.
Figure 7.3.7 Dendrochronology original to Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology by Mary Nelson is under a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.
Figure 7.3.8 Blue Globe by Ken Teegardin is used under a CC BY 2.0 License.
Figure 7.3.9 Oxygen in deep sea sediment carbonate by NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, originally from “Science Briefs: Cold Climates, Warm Climates: How Can We Tell Past Temperatures?”, is in the public domain.
Figure 7.3.10 Stonehenge by Sarah S. King is under a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.
Figure 7.3.11 Hoyo Negro and Sistema Sac Actun, Mexico original to Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology by Elyssa Ebding at GeoPlace, California State University, Chico is under a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.
Figure 7.3.12 Hoyo Negro cenote original to Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology by Mary Nelson is under a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.