Dendrochronology (or tree-ring dating) is the scientific method of dating tree rings (also called growth rings) to the exact year they were formed. As well as dating them, this can give data for dendroclimatology, the study of climate and atmospheric conditions during different periods in history from wood.

What is the history of dendrochronology?

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Andrew. E. Douglass founded the science of dendrochronology— the technique of dating events, environmental change, and archaeological artifacts by using the characteristic patterns of annual growth rings in timber and tree trunks.

Is dendrochronology dating absolute?

Dendrochronology, or tree-ring dating, provides absolute dates in two different ways: directly, and by calibrating radiocarbon results. Cross-dating determines the age of undated wood by directly matching ring patterns with trees of known age.

Why do Seriation diagrams resemble battleships?

Seriation diagrams resemble battleships because: An artifact or style catches on slowly in the beginning, then becomes popular and widespread, and then gradually falls out of favor.

What is cross dating in dendrochronology?

Crossdating is the most basic principle of dendrochronology. Crossdating is a technique that ensures each individual tree ring is assigned its exact year of formation. This is accomplished by matching patterns of wide and narrow rings between cores from the same tree, and between trees from different locations.

What is seriation dating?

In archaeology, seriation is a relative dating method in which assemblages or artifacts from numerous sites in the same culture are placed in chronological order. Seriation is a standard method of dating in archaeology. It can be used to date stone tools, pottery fragments, and other artifacts.