Compulsory attendance
Yes.
Admission requirements
Admission to an MSc programme in Archaeology.
Description
This course will focus on the following dating methods:
Radiometric dating: radiocarbon including advanced applications (statistical analysis, reservoir effects), proper assessment of the data obtained.
Luminescence dating: TL, OSL.
Geology: K/Ar, U-series isotopes, ESR relevant for archaeology.
Chemical methods: racemisation, stratigraphies (magnetic, tephra, ice, marine stages).
Dating Pleistocene sites.
Course set-up:
1) C14: natural radioactivity, dating principle, C14 timescale, isotope effects, calibration.
2) C14: statistics, wiggle matching, Bayesian analysis, applications in archaeology.
3) C14: reservoir-effects & stable isotopes, C14 for the archaeologist (“what’s in a date?”).
4) TL, OSL (guest lecture by J. Wallinga).
5) isotope geology relevant for archaeology: dating by U-series, K/Ar, ESR.
6) chemical methods and biostratigraphy: racemisation, palynology, isotope stages (lecture by T. van Kolfschoten).
7) dating Pleistocene sites (Boxgrove, Happisburgh, Schöningen, Dmanisi, etc.)
Course objectives
Advanced knowledge of dating based on scientific methods;
Ability to assess chronological inference in archaeological research questions.
Ects distribution
The course load will be distributed as follows:
7×2 hours of lectures;
420 pages of literature.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in the MA time schedule.
Mode of instruction
Lectures;
Discussion session.
Assessment method
Essays; one about a specific dating method, the other about a relevant case study.
Assessment deadline
The essays need to be completed within 1 month after the last class.
Exam dates and assessment deadlines can be found in the examination schedule
Reading list
M. Walker, Quaternary Dating Methods.
Handouts.
Registration
Register for this course via uSis.
Instructions for registration can be found in the uSis manual.
Contact information
For more information about this course, please contact prof.dr.ir. J. van der Plicht.