A Review of Lichenometric Dating and Its Applications to Archaeology
Lichenometry—a method developed by geologists for dating Holocene moraines and other landforms—has many potential applications in archaeology. Maximum-diameter lichenometry can suggest ages for features that were initially lichen-free, such as the moai of Easter Island, and rock surfaces exposed by...
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2009
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0002731600047545 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0002731600047545 |
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crcambridgeupr:10.1017/s0002731600047545 2024-09-15T18:38:01+00:00 A Review of Lichenometric Dating and Its Applications to Archaeology Benedict, James B. 2009 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0002731600047545 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0002731600047545 en eng Cambridge University Press (CUP) https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms American Antiquity volume 74, issue 1, page 143-172 ISSN 0002-7316 2325-5064 journal-article 2009 crcambridgeupr https://doi.org/10.1017/s0002731600047545 2024-08-07T04:04:36Z Lichenometry—a method developed by geologists for dating Holocene moraines and other landforms—has many potential applications in archaeology. Maximum-diameter lichenometry can suggest ages for features that were initially lichen-free, such as the moai of Easter Island, and rock surfaces exposed by toolstone quarrying. Size-frequency analysis can provide dates for structures built of lichen-covered rocks, such as game-drive walls and blinds, meat caches, and tent rings. Both methods require local calibration curves, best constructed by measuring lichens on substrata of known exposure age. Most lichenometric studies have involved yellow members of the crustose genus Rhizocarpon, which grow slowly and can live for as long as 10,000 years. Lichenometry has been particularly successful on siliceous rock types in arctic, subarctic, and alpine-tundra environments. The effects of wildfire and of competition from foliose lichens make the technique less well suited for forested terrain. Few data are available for tropical or desert environments or for calcareous substrata. The reliability of a lichenometric date will depend on the quality of the calibration curve, the size of the sample, the nature and postoccupational history of the substratum, and the ability of the archaeologist to recognize potential disturbance factors. An ecological perspective is essential. Known archaeological applications and problems are discussed. Article in Journal/Newspaper Subarctic Tundra Cambridge University Press American Antiquity 74 1 143 172 |
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English |
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Lichenometry—a method developed by geologists for dating Holocene moraines and other landforms—has many potential applications in archaeology. Maximum-diameter lichenometry can suggest ages for features that were initially lichen-free, such as the moai of Easter Island, and rock surfaces exposed by toolstone quarrying. Size-frequency analysis can provide dates for structures built of lichen-covered rocks, such as game-drive walls and blinds, meat caches, and tent rings. Both methods require local calibration curves, best constructed by measuring lichens on substrata of known exposure age. Most lichenometric studies have involved yellow members of the crustose genus Rhizocarpon, which grow slowly and can live for as long as 10,000 years. Lichenometry has been particularly successful on siliceous rock types in arctic, subarctic, and alpine-tundra environments. The effects of wildfire and of competition from foliose lichens make the technique less well suited for forested terrain. Few data are available for tropical or desert environments or for calcareous substrata. The reliability of a lichenometric date will depend on the quality of the calibration curve, the size of the sample, the nature and postoccupational history of the substratum, and the ability of the archaeologist to recognize potential disturbance factors. An ecological perspective is essential. Known archaeological applications and problems are discussed. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Benedict, James B. |
spellingShingle |
Benedict, James B. A Review of Lichenometric Dating and Its Applications to Archaeology |
author_facet |
Benedict, James B. |
author_sort |
Benedict, James B. |
title |
A Review of Lichenometric Dating and Its Applications to Archaeology |
title_short |
A Review of Lichenometric Dating and Its Applications to Archaeology |
title_full |
A Review of Lichenometric Dating and Its Applications to Archaeology |
title_fullStr |
A Review of Lichenometric Dating and Its Applications to Archaeology |
title_full_unstemmed |
A Review of Lichenometric Dating and Its Applications to Archaeology |
title_sort |
review of lichenometric dating and its applications to archaeology |
publisher |
Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
publishDate |
2009 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0002731600047545 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0002731600047545 |
genre |
Subarctic Tundra |
genre_facet |
Subarctic Tundra |
op_source |
American Antiquity volume 74, issue 1, page 143-172 ISSN 0002-7316 2325-5064 |
op_rights |
https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0002731600047545 |
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American Antiquity |
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74 |
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1 |
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143 |
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172 |
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1810482357326577664 |