Cosmic rays help archaeologists determine the age of prehistoric settlements

05-23-2024

ByEric Ralls
Earth.com staff writer

Cosmic rays help archaeologists determine the age of prehistoric settlements Dating prehistoric discoveries is a crucial aspect of archaeology, as it allows researchers to understand the timeline of human history and the development of civilizations. However, before the use of cosmic rays, determining the age of such finds has always been a challenge.

Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Bern has made an amazing discovery that could revolutionize the way we date archaeological sites in Southeast Europe, especially in regions without consistent tree-ring chronologies.

The research team, led by Andrej Maczkowski and Professor Albert Hafner from the Institute of Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bern, has successfully dated timber from the archaeological site of Dispilio in northern Greece to different building activities between 5328 and 5140 BC.

This precise dating was made possible by combining annual growth ring measurements on wooden building elements with a sudden spike in cosmogenic radiocarbon in 5259 BC, caused by a massive influx of prehistoric cosmic rays.

Challenges of prehistoric archaeology
Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Bern has made an amazing discovery that could revolutionize the way we date archaeological sites in Southeast Europe, especially in regions without consistent tree-ring chronologies.

More:
https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-rays-help-archaeologists-determine-age-discoveries-prehistoric-settlements/