Presented in a clear and straightforward manner with the minimum of technical detail, this introductory textbook introduces the basics of dating, the range of techniques available and the strengths and limitations of each of the principal methods.

Preface. 1 Dating Methods and the Quaternary. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 The Development of Quaternary Dating. 1.3 Precision and Accuracy in Dating. 1.4 Atomic Structure, Radioactivity and Radiometric Dating. 1.5 The Quaternary: Stratigraphic Framework and Terminology. 1.6 The Scope and Content of the Book. Notes. 2 Radiometric Dating 1: Radiocarbon Dating. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Basic Principles. 2.3 Radiocarbon Measurement. 2.4 Sources of Error in Radiocarbon Dating. 2.5 Some Problematic Dating Materials. 2.6 Calibration of the Radiocarbon Timescale. 2.7 Applications of Radiocarbon Dating. Notes. 3 Radiometric Dating 2: Dating Using Long-Lived and Short-Lived Radioactive Isotopes. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Argon-Isotope Dating. 3.3 Uranium-Series Dating. 3.4 Cosmogenic Nuclide Dating. 3.5 Dating Using Short-Lived Isotopes. Notes. 4 Radiometric Dating 3: Radiation Exposure Dating. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Luminescence Dating. 4.3 Electron Spin Resonance Dating. 4.4 Fission Track Dating. Notes. 5 Dating Using Annually Banded Records. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Dendrochronology. 5.3 Varve Chronology. 5.4 Lichenometry. 5.5 Annual Layers in Glacier Ice. 5.6 Other Media Dated by Annual Banding. Notes. 6 Relative Dating Methods. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Rock Surface Weathering. 6.3 Obsidian Hydration Dating. 6.4 Pedogenesis. 6.5 Relative Dating of Fossil Bone. 6.6 Amino Acid Geochronology. Notes. 7 Techniques for Establishing Age Equivalence. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Oxygen Isotope Chronostratigraphy. 7.3 Tephrochronology. 7.4 Palaeomagnetism. 7.5 Palaeosols. Notes. 8 Dating the Future. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Radiometric Dating. 8.3 Annually Banded Records. 8.4 Age Equivalence. 8.5 Biomolecular Dating. Notes. References. Index.