How is it possible for historians to state exact dates for things that happened 2000 years ago?

Answer 1

Several techniques, including:

* carbon dating - based on the half-life of carbon, we can tell how old a object / document is.

* notable marks on the object - there might be clues on the object itself which we can tell belonged to a certain era.

* location of discover - if the object was found in a certain archeological dig along with other items, we can guess that it will belong to the same era as other items discovered.

Answer 2

Yes it is possible for historians to state things that happened 2000 years ago because of the radio carbon dating that is done on the objects.

Answer 3

Some ancient civilisations (particularly Greek, Roman and Egyptian) left excellent documented and dated records which enable historians to determine dates of specific events extremely accurately.

By overlapping these events with information from other cultures, it is sometimes possible to extrapolate dates of events where this has not been recorded.

These documents can take us back further than 2000 years.

Answer 4

That's right, carbon dating is a frequently used method for dating archaeological finds. Markings on the objects can help to identify a time period by comparing them with objects found at other sites because pottery styles will change and evolve over time, stone and metal tools styles will change and evolve over time, building sytles will evolve and change over time.

Location, as in the strata layer being excavated, can be a determining factor as well because, for example, if there is volcanic ash in the layers they are searching scientists can test the ash and find out exactly what volcanoe it came from. Because scientist know so much about volcanic activity over the millenia they can determine which erruption the ash came from. They can also look at the strata levels above and below the level of interest and look at plant remains, such as seeds and pollens, and the remains of insects and other small life which may hold clues as well.

If you have more questions on dating try contacting your state Archaeologist. I have found them to be very friendly and very helpful and always willing to answer questions. They love to talk about their work! You can even contact archaeologist at some universities and find one that is willing to answer your questions.

There are also free archaeology seminars that you can go to in your area that are totally fascinating and will answer a lot of your questions. Keep an eye out for the seminars that have topics that interest you and go to one. You'd be surprised at what you can learn!

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

There are two main ways. The first is scientific. This involves looking at the decay rate of carbon in any living organism, and it is therefore known as radio-carbon dating. By comparing the decay of carbon with an accepted value, scientists can date up to approximately 60,000 years with an uncertainty of only about 20 years.

The second method is merely researching documents, pictures, etc. Monks have been recording history for hundreds of years. Nevertheless it is important to remember that most history comes from those of the wealthy, for they were the ones who could spend time and money on historical records.

Answer 6

They AREN'T exact dates. They are approximate dates. But they have been studied with such accuracy that most people accept them rather than spend the rest of their lives studying things with years like 235 B.C. (?). The question mark after every date would just get old, so its assumed.

Take the date of Christs birth. Its assumed to be between 1 A.D. and 2 B.C. (even though he didn't die for 33.5 years AFTER he was born). So, why isn't before "0" the Birth year, 33.5 the date of his death (Anno Domini A.D.) and after that starting the new Calendar, because its just too confusing. PLUS we would have 33 and 1/2 years of a gap between B.C. and A.D., so thing have to be compromised.

Answer 7

Not historians but with the help of archeologists and the new methods or carbon dioxide or whatever they use today in excavations, they can determine periods in history.

Answer 8

A number of documents from ancient times have been copied down and still exist in certain versions now. Many of these documents would overlap in the period they address, and would describe the same events as written at different times. With enough texts it becomes rather easy (albeit tedious) to assign a fairly precise date to most of the important events.

Answer 9

It's easy to be able to tell how old an object is. Although there is a 100 to 500 year range, they can't get an exact date.

Answer 10

Most is done from historical records.
Carbon dating is used,but is not accurate. If you carbon date a piece of wood,you will get one date,but if you burn that same piece of wood,you'll get an older date.