Module Identifier GG32510  
Module Title QUATERNARY DATING METHODS  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Dr Geoff Duller  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Aled P Rowlands, Dr Geoff Duller  
Course delivery Lecture   20 Hours 10 x 2 hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   2 Hours 1 x 2 hours  
Assessment Semester Exam   2 Hours Resit has same format. Unseen written exam. Answer two questions from four in two hours.   100%  

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will have :-

* to ability to select appropriate types of material for dating

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.

Content

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.

Reading Lists

Books
Wagner, G. A.. (1998) Age determination of young rocks and artifacts. Springer
Aitken, M.J.. (1990) Science-based Dating in Archaeology. Longman
Taylor, R. E. and Aitken, M. J. (eds). (1997) Chronometric dating in Archaeology. Plenum