ANT100Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Social Status, Acculturation, Drop Zone
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ANT100Y1 Full Course Notes
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A radio metric dating method based on radioactive decay of isotopes (isotopes=different forms of an element with different "atomic weights" ie. different numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus) Some isotopes are stable, others are unstable- gradually decay, changing into stable elements. Can be used to date objects, if you know. Most common form of carbon=carbon 12 (stable) Plants absorb c14 in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis; eaten by herbivores, eaten by carnivores. Accelerator mass spectrometry (ams)= improved radio carbon dating. Ams - measures the amount of c14 directly - requires. Used to date volcanic rock, not artifacts or other human products. Minimum age 5000 years, no maximum age. Generally try to use at least two methods to confirm date. Every dating method has problems and limitations. Archaeological data - 5 main classes of data. Any object made or modified by people. Archaeologists specialize in particular types-especially stone tools, ceramics (pottery) The study of animal remains in the archaeological record.
