ABSOLUTE DATING METHODS
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIUSEPPE GABRIELE RAPISARDAExpected Learning Outcomes
Students will acquire knowledge and skills in the following fields: the evaluation of errors associated with experimental measurements and their statistical treatment; the main absolute dating techniques.
The specific learning objectives of the course, framed within the Dublin Descriptors, are:
1. Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge of the main statistical concepts and analytical techniques for processing geological and geophysical data.
Knowledge of the main dating techniques and their fields of applicability for determining the age and rate of geological processes.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Ability to apply physical-mathematical tools (including through the use of IT tools) for the analysis and interpretation of experimental data in the geological and geophysical fields.
Ability to use appropriate absolute dating methods to reconstruct chronological sequences and geological processes
3. Making judgements
Ability to select appropriate methodologies for the phenomena under examination, critically analyze data and models, and provide quantitative assessments.
4. Communication skills
Ability to use appropriate absolute dating methods to reconstruct chronological sequences and geological processes.
Ability to effectively analyze, synthesize, and communicate scientific results to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, using appropriate language and terminological rigor.
5. Learning skills
Ability to independently consult databases and scientific literature.
Ability to regularly update one's own knowledge.
Course Structure
Classroom-taught lessons by the use of interactive power point presentations.
Practical sessions of data analisys also using spreadsheets.
Guided tours of nuclear physics and dating laboratories.
N.B. If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Should the circumstances require online or blended teaching, appropriate modifications to what is hereby stated may be introduced, in order to achieve the main objectives of the course.
Detailed Course Content
1) Measurement of a Physical quantity
The scientific method – Physical quantities – Units of measurement – Direct and indirect measurements - Measuring instruments and characteristics - Measurement uncertainty – Estimation of the uncertainty – How to report uncertainties – Precision and accuracy – Significant Figures – Absolute and relative uncertainties – Comparison of two measured numbers – Use of tables – Graphical representation of the experimental data
2) Propagation of uncertainties
Error propagation in sums, differences, products and quotients - Independent uncertainties in a measurement - General formula for error propagation - Systematic and statistical uncertainty
3) Statistical analysis of random uncertainties
The mean and Standard Deviation – The weighted average - Histograms and distributions - The Gaussian distribution and its properties - The Poisson distribution and its properties
4) Least-squares fitting
Introduction to the least-squares fit - The Linear best-fit – Calculation of the constants A and B - Uncertainties in the constants A and B - Least-squares fits to other curves – Examples and applications
5) The chi-squared test for a distribution
Comparison between theoretical and experimental data distributions - Covariance - Linear correlation coefficient - Student test - General definition of chi-squared -The chi-squared test - Examples
Upon completion of this first section, students will be assigned data analysis exercises including the use of spreadsheets.
Second part
1) Basics of Nuclear Physics
The nucleus and its contents - Mass number and atomic number – Isotopes – Abundance of isotopes in nature
2) Basics of radioactivity
Nuclear stability – The radioactivity - The radioactivity decay law –Decay constant, lifetime and half-life - Types of Radioactive Decay – Alpha decay - Beta decay - Gamma decay
3) Dating methods
Introduction to the dating methods - Radiocarbon dating - AMS dating - Potassium-Argon dating - Argon-Argon dating - Uranium-Thorium dating - Uranium–lead dating - Rubidium-Stronzium dating - Fission track dating – Thermoluminescence phenomena and its application in archaeological dating - Electron spin resonance and its use in dating - archeomagnetic dating technique.
Textbook Information
1) J.R. Taylor, “Introduzione all’analisi degli errori”, Zanichelli
2) B.Povh, K.Rith, C.Scholtz, F.Zetsche, “Particelle e Nuclei”, Bollati-Boringhieri
3) W.S.C. Williams, “Nuclear and Particle Physics”, Oxford Science Publications
4) M.J.Aitken, “Science-based Dating in Archeology”, Pearson Education
5) A.Castellano, M.Martini, E.Sibilia, “Elementi di archeometria”, Egea
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.R.Taylor | Introduzione all’analisi degli errori, seconda edizione | Zanichelli | 1999 | 978880817656 |
| B.Povh, K.Rith, C.Scholtz, F.Zetsche | Particelle e Nuclei | Bollati-Boringhieri | 1998 | 9788833955957 |
| W.S.C. Williams | Nuclear and Particle Physics | Oxford Science Publications | 1991 | 9780198520467 |
| M.J.Aitken | Science-based Dating in Archeology, 1st edition | Pearson Education | 1990 | 9780582493094 |
| A.Castellano, M.Martini, E.Sibilia | Elementi di archeometria, seconda edizione | Egea | 2007 | 9788823820920 |
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The scientific method | 1) |
| 2 | Physical quantities, units of measurement | 1) |
| 3 | Direct and indirect measurements | 1) |
| 4 | Measuring instruments and characteristics | 1) |
| 5 | Uncertainty in experimental measurements | 1) |
| 6 | "Qualitative" estimation of uncertainties | 1) |
| 7 | Numerical representation of a measurement | 1) |
| 8 | Precision and Accuracy of a Measurement | 1) |
| 9 | Significant digits | 1) |
| 10 | Absolute and relative uncertainties | 1) |
| 11 | Comparison between different measurements | 1) |
| 12 | Tables | 1) |
| 13 | Graphycal represention of experimental data | 1) |
| 14 | Uncertainties propagation for sums, differences, ratios and products | 1) |
| 15 | Independent uncertainties | 1) |
| 16 | General formula for uncertainties propagation | 1) |
| 17 | Systematic and statistical errors | 1) |
| 18 | Mean and standard deviation | 1) |
| 19 | Combination of measurements with different uncertainties | 1) |
| 20 | Weighted mean | 1) |
| 21 | Histograms and data distributions | 1) |
| 22 | Limiting distributions | 1) |
| 23 | Gaussian distribution and its properties | 1) |
| 24 | Poissian distribution and its properties | 1) |
| 25 | Introduction to the method of least squares | 1) |
| 26 | Linear best-fit | 1) |
| 27 | Evaluation of free parameters in the linear best-fit procedure | 1) |
| 28 | Evaluation of uncertainties of the free parameters in the linear best-fit procedure | 1) |
| 29 | Least squares methods applied to a data distribution | 1) |
| 30 | Applications of the best-fit procedures | 1) |
| 31 | Comparison between theoretical and experimental distributions | 1) |
| 32 | Covariance | 1) |
| 33 | Linear correlation coefficient | 1) |
| 34 | Method of least squares | 1) |
| 35 | Chi-square | 1) |
| 36 | Degrees of freedom and reduced chi-square | 1) |
| 37 | Chi-square test | 1) |
| 38 | Basic concepts of nuclear physics | 2) 3) |
| 39 | The nucleus and its components | 2) 3) |
| 40 | Atomic and mass numbers | 2) 3) |
| 41 | Isotopes | 2) 3) |
| 42 | Isotopes in nature | 2) 3) |
| 43 | Nuclei stability | 2) 3) |
| 44 | Radioactivity | 2) 3) |
| 45 | Radioactivity decay law | 2) 3) |
| 46 | Decay constant, average lifetime, half-time | 2) 3) |
| 47 | Types of decay | 2) 3) |
| 48 | Alpha decay | 2) 3) |
| 49 | Beta decay | 2) 3) |
| 50 | Gamma decay | 2) 3) |
| 51 | Dating techniques | 4) 5) |
| 52 | Radiocarbon dating | 4) 5) |
| 53 | AMS dating | 4) 5) |
| 54 | Potassium-Argon dating | 4) 5) |
| 55 | Argon-Argon dating | 4) 5) |
| 56 | Uranium-Thorium dating | 4) 5) |
| 57 | Uranium–lead dating | 4) 5) |
| 58 | Rubidium-Strontium dating | 4) |
| 59 | Dating based on nuclear fission tracks | 4) 5) |
| 60 | Thermoluminescence dating | 4) 5) |
| 61 | Electron spin resonance dating | 4) 5) |
| 62 | Notes on Paleomagnetism - Archaeomagnetism | 4) |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The exams dates can be found on the web site of the Master Degree in Geology and Geophysics https://www.dipbiogeo.unict.it/corsi/lm-74-79. At least 2 dates are available foor each session.
The exam consists in an oral discussion about the contents of the course. The minimum mark is 18.
The final evaluation will take into account the following aspects:
- knowledge of the contents
- clarity and language skills
- relevance of the answers to the asked questions
- ability to make correct links with other topics in the program
- ability to report examples
- ability to solve simple exercises and make estimates
Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- Discuss the main types of uncertainties in an experimental measurement.
- Explain the difference between accuracy and precision.
- Explain the difference between direct and indirect measurements.
- Discuss the general formula for the uncertainties propagation in an indirect measurement.
- List and describe the indexes of dispersion.
- Explain the meaning of limiting distributions.
- List and discuss the main properties of the Gaussian distribution and give an example of its application in an experimental data analysis.
- List and discuss the main properties of the Poissian distribution and give an example of its application in an experimental data analysis.
- Describe the least squares method.
- Describe the chi-square test.
- Discuss the radioactive decay law.
- Explain the difference between isotope lifetime and half time.
- List the main properties of dating techniques.
- Describe one of the dating methods discussed in the course.
- Discuss the limits of a given dating technique.