Rehydroxylation dating

How is the rate of rehydroxylation calculated?

The rate of rehydroxylation is affected by the ambient temperature. Thus, when calculating dates, scientists must be able to estimate the temperature history of the sample. The method of calculation is based on temperature data for the location, with adjustments for burial depth and long-term temperature variation from historical records.

Can rehydroxylation be used to date archaeological pottery?

We show that the rehydroxylation (RHX) method can be used to date archaeological pottery, and give the first RHX dates for three disparate items of excavated material. These are in agreement with independently assigned dates. We define precisely the mass components of the ceramic material before, during and after dehydroxylation.

What are the steps involved in the RHX dating process?

We describe the main steps of the RHX dating process: sample preparation, drying, conditioning, reheating and measurement of RHX mass gain. We propose a statistical criterion for isolating the RHX component of the measured mass gain data after reheating and demonstrate how to calculate the RHX age.

What is the dating clock of the RHX reaction?

The dating clock is provided by the experimental finding that the RHX reaction follows a precise kinetic law: the weight gain increases as the fourth root of the time which has elapsed since firing.

What is Rehydroxylation (RHX)?

This reaction reincorporates hydroxyl (OH) groups into the ceramic material, and is described as rehydroxylation (RHX). The RHX process produces an increase in specimen weight.

What is rehydroxylation dating?

Rehydroxylation [RHX] dating is a developing method for dating fired-clay ceramics. It is based on the fact that after a ceramic specimen is removed from the kiln at the time of production, it immediately begins to recombine chemically with moisture from the environment.

How to calculate the rate of reaction at a given time?

Rate of reaction at a given time = gradient of the curve at that instant The rate of reaction at a given time, t, can be calculated through the following steps. Step 1: Draw a tangent (line AB) on the curve at the time t. Step 2: Draw the right-angled triangle ABC.

What is rehydroxylation of ceramic?

It is based on the fact that after a ceramic specimen is removed from the kiln at the time of production, it immediately begins to recombine chemically with moisture from the environment. This reaction reincorporates hydroxyl (OH) groups into the ceramic material, and is described as rehydroxylation (RHX).