Dating fossils and rocks can be a fun and exciting hobby.
The main methods that scientists use to estimate the age of rocks and fossils are radioactive dating and stratigraphic dating. Radioactive dating uses the known rate of decay of an isotope to determine the age of a fossil and can give you an absolute date. Stratigraphic dating looks at the geologic layers above and below the fossil or rock to give their approximate age. Unless you are a scientist with a large budget, radioactive dating is out of reach for most people.
Instructions
1. Take photos of the rocks and fossils that you wish to date. Make sure to take photos of the entire area and of other rocks and fossils nearby. Record the characteristics of the soil that the fossils and rocks are harvested from. Notice the color, striations and texture, and write them down in a log book. Are there shells in the rock? Is it coarse or smooth? Does the rock break off easily or is it hard? Are there any crystals in the rock? Check to see if there are other rocks or fossils nearby.
2. Mark the location where you found the rock or fossil on a map. The best way to do this is using GPS so you have the exact coordinates. If you don't have a GPS device, mark the exact location on a map.
3. Visit a nearby university or library. Locate field books on the geology of rocks in the area. Look through the pictures in the books to see if you can find ones that match your photographs. The book will give you an approximate date of when the fossil was formed.
4. Talk to an expert. Seek the help of a geologist or archaeologist. Chances are that the rocks you found have already been dated and cataloged.
5. Consult a geological map. Research which portion of the rock is shown on the earth's surface. You can find a map online or in university libraries. Using the geological map's legend, identify the rock formation where your fossils were formed. This will give you an approximation of the fossil's age.
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