A shallow glimpse into the wonders of Anthropology

Trying to establish datesand ages for artifactsin order to understand our chronology

Where and when did the early humans originate

Trying to establish dates and ages for artifacts in order to understand our chronology

Where and when did the early humans originate

Site / Name Estimated Age

OH 62 1.7 Million Years

OH 7 1.75

OH 24 1.8

KNM ER 1813 1.9

KNM ER 1805 1.74

Relies on Stratigraphy, Follows geologic principals of rock &

sediment layering to estimate dates

Biostratigraphy, Previously dated fossils Distinct Flora

and Dendrochronology Study of tree Rings

Useful for Geologic & Prehistoric events and when absolute techniques cannot be applied

Law of Super Position

Seriation Setting an object into a series Supported by Multivariate

Statistical Analysis

Isotope Same number of protons but more

neutrons in the nucleus of an atomUnstable Isotope

An atom that is trying to return to its stable atomic mass

Half Life Length of time required for a quantity to

decay to half its initial value.

Isotope Decays To Half Life (Years)

Carbon – 14 Nitrogen – 14 5715

Uranium – 235

Lead – 207 704 Million

Potassium – 40

Argon – 40 1.3 Billion

Uranium – 238

Lead – 206 4.5 Billion

Thorium – 232

Lead – 208 14 Billion

Rubidium – 87

Strontium – 87

49 Billion

1. Measure amount of isotope2. Compare to half life quantity to

determine time period.

Electrons are captured in crystalline structures of objects

Applying heat to them allow electrons to escape

o Measure sample’s intensity of luminescence

o Relate luminescence intensity to radiation dose

o Determine the dose per year that the sample has been exposed to

Kari Mosleh

Avital Birger

Melika Farnia

Bob Chatman

Java Man – 1.7 m.y.

R.I.P. Arthur C. Clarke =(

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/B/bodies/cases/case12.html BBC - Dawn of Man (2000) by Robin Mckie| ISBN 0-7894-6262-1