Archaelogical Mystery
Homo Floriensis: H. Floriensis bones date back to 38,000-18,000 years ago. But archaeological evidence suggests they lived from 95,000- 12,000 years ago. This makes them the last living human species apart from us (H. Sapiens). A volcanic eruption about 12,000 years ago was thought to be the cause for their disappearance. An Australian-Indonesian team looking for evidence of early migration from Asia to Australia found bones of a small human in the cave Liang Bua, Flores, in 2003. The discoverers agued that because of a variety of primitive features it was a in fact a new species. Descriptions of the remains were published in October 2004.
The remains include a largely complete skeleton with skull (LB1) and parts from at least 11 other small humans. An arm bone from a deeper level was found dating back 74,000 years ago and is thought to be from H. Floriensis but because LB1 lacks an arm bone an accurate analysis is very difficult. Stone tools from a number of levels, dates ranging from 94-13,000 years ago were also discovered. Recent studies show that they were probably just people with physical disorders all put in same place to die. References: http://australianmuseum.net.au |
Archaelogical Hoax
Experts have laughed at the false reports of a 1500 year old city near Uluru. The site had been found by Australian National University archaeologists back in October 2013 with a new ground penetrating satellite that was only recently developed. Many central residents of Australia thought the find was legitimate.
References: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
References: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Methods of dating
Relative Dating:
Relative dating is comparing objects to other objects that are easier to date. For example an oil lamp was found on a mosaic dwelling floor. The lamp could be dated to the same time as the mosaic floor by telling what layer the floor is in.
Pottasium Argon Dating:
This is used by measuring how much Potassium Argon is in a rock. The more argon the older the rock is, the time starts as soon as the rock cools from magma. A radioactive isotope of potassium slowly breaks down inside the rock at a fixed rate turning into argon.
Carbon Dating: An isotope of carbon called C14 combines in the atmosphere with oxygen and creates carbon dioxide. When living things die they let out emissions. Scientists can tell how old the dead thingis by measuring the emissions, more emissions mean theat it is younger, less emissions mean it is younger. One of the flaws of of carbon dating is that it can only be used on things that died 60,000 years ago.
References: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu
Relative dating is comparing objects to other objects that are easier to date. For example an oil lamp was found on a mosaic dwelling floor. The lamp could be dated to the same time as the mosaic floor by telling what layer the floor is in.
Pottasium Argon Dating:
This is used by measuring how much Potassium Argon is in a rock. The more argon the older the rock is, the time starts as soon as the rock cools from magma. A radioactive isotope of potassium slowly breaks down inside the rock at a fixed rate turning into argon.
Carbon Dating: An isotope of carbon called C14 combines in the atmosphere with oxygen and creates carbon dioxide. When living things die they let out emissions. Scientists can tell how old the dead thingis by measuring the emissions, more emissions mean theat it is younger, less emissions mean it is younger. One of the flaws of of carbon dating is that it can only be used on things that died 60,000 years ago.
References: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu
Primary Sources
Primary sources are artefacts that were made during the time that is being studied. For example if you were studying ancient Egypt a pyramid would be a primary source or if you were studying ancient Greece a Spartan helmet or spear made during the time under studying would also be a primary source.
Conserving the Ancient Past
Most ancient artifacts are stored in museums, galleries and libraries they kept in special storage and tempuratures to stop decay or damage. For example paper records are kept at a certain tempurature and humidity away from ultraviolet light.