Relative Dating:
the determination of chronological sequence without relation to a fixed time scale.*
Relative dating gives one the gist of the order in which things come. An example is that the pyramids are older than the Colosseum; and the Colosseum is older than the Statue of Liberty. This gives an idea, but the span of time in between things is unclear - it could be one year or 1,000 years.
Relative Methods:
(1) stratigraphy
(2) typological sequences
(3) F.U.N. dating
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Absolute Dating:
age is determined to a fixed scale. There is a fixed number that is discerned. (For instance Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79AD/CE)
Absolute Methods:
(1) radiocarbon
(2) potassium-argon
(3) documents
(4) dendochronology
(5) thermoluminescence
(6) electron spin resonance
(7) ice cores
(8) obsidian hydration analysis
*definations from Archeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice by Colin Refrew and Paul Bahn. © 2000
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