The dating of Neanderthal sites

This paper begins with a review of the range of techniques which are available for the absolute dating of sites of Neanderthal age. Descriptions are given of the types of material that are commonly dated, and the circumstances in which it is useful to measure their ages. Some of the difficulties that are faced by dating laboratories are then explained, with consideration of the different types of uncertainties that are inherent in date measurements. It is emphasised that no dating technique is invariably accurate, and that a comparative dating study, involving several methods, is the most reliable means of determining the age of an archaeological event.