Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Ancient ruins are messages from the past. But they mean little unless tied to dates. This 1976 Britannica film explores the relative and absolute dating techniques that archaeologists use to date their finds.
Tree rings on a roof beam can reveal when the tree became lumber. Shifts in the position of the magnetic north pole are recorded in the clay of ancient hearths. Radioactivity levels date organic matter. Even the relative position of one artifact to another in a multilayered site can reveal a time relationship.
What did we get right about archeology in 1976? And more importantly, what's changed since then? Let us know in the comments.
Learn more from Britannica:
Carbon-14 Dating: britannica.com/science/carbon-14-dating
What Is Archeology? britannica.com/science/archaeology
How To Become a World Heritage Site: britannica.com/topic/World-Heritage-site
What Are Ley Lines? britannica.com/topic/Ley-lines
7 Amazing Historical Sites in Africa: britannica.com/list/7-amazing-historical-sites-in-africa
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#EncyclopaediaBritannica
Inspiring curiosity and the joy of learning since 1768.
Web: britannica.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Britannica
Twitter: twitter.com/Britannica
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Ancient ruins are messages from the past. But they mean little unless tied to dates. This 1976 Britannica film explores the relative and absolute dating techniques that archaeologists use to date their finds.
Tree rings on a roof beam can reveal when the tree became lumber. Shifts in the position of the magnetic north pole are recorded in the clay of ancient hearths. Radioactivity levels date organic matter. Even the relative position of one artifact to another in a multilayered site can reveal a time relationship.
What did we get right about archeology in 1976? And more importantly, what's changed since then? Let us know in the comments.
Learn more from Britannica:
Carbon-14 Dating: britannica.com/science/carbon-14-dating
What Is Archeology? britannica.com/science/archaeology
How To Become a World Heritage Site: britannica.com/topic/World-Heritage-site
What Are Ley Lines? britannica.com/topic/Ley-lines
7 Amazing Historical Sites in Africa: britannica.com/list/7-amazing-historical-sites-in-africa
~~~
#EncyclopaediaBritannica
Inspiring curiosity and the joy of learning since 1768.
Web: britannica.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Britannica
Twitter: twitter.com/Britannica
Instagram: instagram.com/Britannica
