Module Identifier | GG32510 | ||
Module Title | QUATERNARY DATING METHODS | ||
Academic Year | 2000/2001 | ||
Co-ordinator | Professor Ann Wintle | ||
Semester | Semester 1 | ||
Other staff | Dr Geoff Duller, Dr Aled Rowlands | ||
Course delivery | Lecture | 20 Hours 10 x 2 hours | |
Seminars / Tutorials | 2 Hours 1 x 2 hours | ||
Assessment | Exam | 2 Hours Resit has same format. Unseen written exam. Answer two questions from four in two hours. | 100% |
Module Outline (Lecture Themes)
This module explores at depth the basic principles of the major dating techniques used to establish timescales during the Quaternary Period. The equipment and measurement procedures are described so that the student is able to appreciate the laboratory work that is needed to obtain a date. The assumptions underlining each technique are examined so that its limitations can be deduced. For each technique a number of examples illustrating the above points will be given.
Lecture themes:
Mid-term seminar - based on video using a number of techniques to solve a particular dating problem.
Module Aims
The major aim is to provide the student with the knowledge to judge which dating techniques are applicable to what materials and on what timescale. They should also gain an appreciation of recent developments in the techniques which will enable their application to new problems posed in the coming decade.
Module objectives / Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will have acquired the background science for each dating technique. They will know what dating methods to apply to what types of material and over what time range.
Reading Lists
Books
Aitken, M.J.. (1990)
Science-based Dating in Archaeology. Longman
Taylor, R. E. and Aitken, M. J. (eds). (1997)
Chronometric dating in Archaeology. Plenum
Wagner, G. A.. (1998)
Age determination of young rocks and artifacts. Springer