Chronology

1
Chronology

• chronos time
• logos study of, order of

2
Terminology

• BCE before the common era (formerly BC)
• CE in the common era (formerly AD, anno
  domini)
  
• Year zero is not just the birth of Christ
• New terminology is more inclusive.

3
Points to Remember

• 2000 BCE occurs before 1000 BCE but 1000 CE
  occurs before 2000 CE.
  
• The fifth century BCE is 499 400 BCE.
• The first millennium BCE is 999 0 BCE.
• First quarter of the fifth century BCE is 499
  475 BCE. Second quarter of the fifth century BCE
  is 475 450 BCE, etc.

4
Art Historical/Historical Terms

• Terms like Paleolithic, Assyrian, Classical,
  Roman Imperial refer both to an artistic style
  (the definition of which is often changing) and a
  specific time period.
• Terms imply a change in civilization or culture.
  
  
• Paleolithic, the old stone age refers to a
  nomadic culture with a certain level of
  technological experience. Neolithic, the new
  stone age refers to a more settled culture with
  domestic agriculture and herding with a different
  level of technological experience.

5
How do we determine DATE

• Relative dating
• Comparison to other objects that have a secure
  date.
  
• Historical records, archaeological finds secure
  the date.
  
• Absolute dating
• Scientific methods radiometric dating (C-14),
  thermoluminescence, electron spin resonance
  (ESR).
  
• Works on materials that are more than 5000 years
  of age and less than 40,000 years of age.

6
Memorization of Dates

• In this class, you need to memorize dates.
• Dates are often civilization specific.
• e.g. Bronze Age in the British Isles and parts of
  France refers to the dates 2300 1000 BCE. In
  Greece and the Mediterranean, the Bronze Age
  begins sooner 3000 1000 BCE.