Dating fossils is a fascinating process.The process is usually done by experts.The relative and absolute dating methods use chemical testing to estimate the age of the fossils.
Step 1: The carbon dating method can be used if the fossil is less than 75,000 years old.
Carbon decays quicker than other minerals and this method only works on young fossils.If there is no trace of carbon in the fossil, it is older than 100,000 years.The amount of carbon in the fossil can be measured.The older a fossil is, the lower the amount of carbon in it.Carbon dating can be accurate if fossils are clean.The method is usually done by experts.
Step 2: The tracking method can be applied.
There are many different types of rocks and fossils with Uranium in them.fissures in the fossil surface can be caused by the uranium content.The older the fossil, the greater the number of fissures.The LA-ICP-MS can be used to measure the uranium content.The high-tech equipment used for this technique is only used by experts.
Step 3: Take a look at the amount of argon in the rocks.
The amount of argon in volcanic rocks can be dated.Ash and rock are deposited when a volcano erupts.Fossils are found in between the layers and can be compared to the rocks around them.The amount of argon can be measured using a mass analyzer.This method is used by experts with access to specialized equipment.
Step 4: The racemization of the amino acids.
The age of the fossils can be estimated using the extent of racemization.The older a fossil is, the more racemized the acids are.The fragments of the fossils were hydrolyzed with 6M hydrochloric acid.You can measure the extent of the racemization process with this process.If the environment of the fossil is known, this method will be accurate.
Step 5: If the fossils were found on the ground, use the stratigraphy method.
If the fossils are not on folded or tilted ground, this method won't work.There are layers of rocks if you look at a cliff face made from rocks.The layers are made from different materials.At the bottom and top are the oldest and youngest rocks.If a fossil is found in one of the top layers, it can be assumed that it is younger than the fossils and rocks below it.There are a variety of uses for this information.If a human skull was found next to a dinosaur bone, it would indicate that humans predate dinosaurs.
Step 6: Where the fossil was found.
This can help to identify the age of the fossil if it was found in a location with a known date.It is safe to assume that the fossil is the same age as the one found inside the ship.If a fossil is found in a location that has a known age, this method will work.
Step 7: The date of your fossil can be estimated using the index fossils.
The index fossils are only found during certain times.It can be assumed that the fossil found next to the index fossil is the same age.If you find a fossil next to a brachiopod fossil it is likely to be the same age.If a fossil was found between an index fossil that is between 410 and 450 million years old and an average fossil, you could deduct the fossil from the total.