keresztdátolás

Keresztdátolás is a Hungarian term that translates to "cross-dating" in English. It refers to a dating technique used in archaeology and paleoclimatology. The fundamental principle of cross-dating involves comparing and correlating the chronological sequences of different sites or records based on shared characteristics.

In archaeology, cross-dating is often employed when absolute dating methods like radiocarbon dating are unavailable or insufficient. Archaeologists examine the stratigraphy (layering of soil and artifacts) at multiple excavation sites. If similar assemblages of artifacts, pottery styles, or architectural features are found in comparable stratigraphic layers across different locations, it suggests that these layers represent the same period. By establishing a relative chronology at one site and then matching its artifact types to layers at another site, the chronology of the second site can be inferred. This allows for the construction of more robust and interconnected chronological frameworks for ancient cultures.

Similarly, in paleoclimatology, cross-dating is used with natural archives such as tree rings (dendrochronology), ice cores, and sediment layers. For instance, the patterns of wide and narrow tree rings, which reflect favorable and unfavorable growing conditions respectively, can be matched across different trees and regions. By finding overlapping ring sequences, a continuous and precise chronological record of past climate variations can be built. This technique is crucial for understanding long-term climate patterns and for calibrating other dating methods. The success of cross-dating relies on the assumption that similar events or conditions will leave a recognizable signature across different records.