Anthropology 2229F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Dendrochronology
Document Summary
Lecture 14 absolute dating: gives the exact age of an object or exactly how much older it is than another object, dendrochronology. Trees develop new rings every year, can count the rings to see how old the tree is. Interested in connection between climatic change and sunspots and the effect on tree growth. Climate, weather, etc. have an effect the growth of the tree (thicker rings for higher rainfall, thinner for less, etc. ) Have developed a master ring chronology, dates back to 59 bc. Any log found in archaeological sites in the southwest of usa such as the ancient pueblos can be dated to when the tree was cut down. Finest level of dating in the world. Only works in the area that the trees grew: e. g. Southwest chronology won"t apply outside the geographic area. Depends on the tree: has to be influenced by climate, some grow near water, etc.