Re: dating methods


Micha Shepher wrote:
Can someone answer this question:

1. Is there a reliable dating system for precious metals?
2. If the location where the artifact was found is unknown, is it possible
at
all to date it?
3. How accurate can such a dating system be?
4. Can it be applied without damaging the artifact?


Thank you in advance,


Micha.

I'd be interested to hear if this is possible. But I do not think it
is. What you would need is a provenance telling you the exact stratum
within a specific archaeological context within which the artifact was
found. This would only work if there was other more reliable datable
evidence within the context such as a coin, or typologically specific
artifact such as pottery. You would have to be clear whether the object
was not buried within the context at a later date as well.
This context would only render a terminus post quem. The item could be
older thatn the deposit but the deposit could not be older than the
item (unless buried).

If there is uncontaminated carbon bearing material on the object this
might be used for a C14 dating. The object would have to be fresh out
of the ground.

.

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