Final answer:
Radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology, stratigraphy, and thermoluminescence are dating methods that indicate the relative age of objects.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several dating methods that can indicate the relative age of objects:
- Radiocarbon dating: This method measures the amount of radioactive carbon-14 in organic materials to determine their age. It is used for dating objects between 300 and 50,000 years old.
- Dendrochronology: This method uses tree ring patterns to date wooden objects or structures. By comparing the ring patterns in different trees, scientists can determine the age of the object.
- Stratigraphy: This method relies on the principle that layers of sedimentary rock are deposited sequentially, with the bottommost layer being the oldest. By studying the layers of rock, archaeologists can determine the relative age of the objects found within.
- Thermoluminescence: This method measures the amount of radiation emitted by crystals in minerals such as quartz or feldspar. By calculating the rate of decay of this radiation, scientists can determine the age of the object.