North American Archaeomagnetism
What is Archaeomagnetism?
Archaeomagnetism
By comparing the magnetic direction recorded by the feature with a calibrated reconstruction of changes in the magnetic field through
time, we can determine when that feature acquired the measured direction.
Archaeomagnetic
specimen
Excavated archaeological feature
Magnetic pole for the field that would have created the archaeomagnetic direction recorded by the feature
A.D. 825-900
Archaeomagnetism refers to the application of paleomagnetic methods and theory to archaeological problems. Usually, the term refers
to archaeomagnetic dating. This chronometric technique is based on two fundamental principles:
1. Many archaeological features contain
magnetic minerals that will record the direction and strength of the Earth’s magnetic field under certain conditions.
2. The direction
and strength of the Earth’s magnetic field changes through time, with significant changes occurring on the order of centuries.
