The Quaternary, which spans approximately the last 2 million years, is characterized by dramatic environmental changes, commonly known as the "ice age". During this period, man with his manifold cultures evolved. Attempts at dating these events as accurately as possible have made great progress. The broad spectrum of physical and chemical dating methods, now available for dating human artifacts and Quaternary rocks, is becoming increasingly difficult to grasp. In this book the various chronometric techniques are comprehensively and intelligibly treated. By means of numerous case studies, taken from archaeology and Quaternary geology, the potential and limitation of these techniques are demonstrated. The book is intended mainly for scientists and students of these fields, but the interested layman may also find its rewarding.

Dating the Quaternary, which covers approximately the last 2 million years, has experienced considerable progress over the past few decades. On the one hand, this resulted from the necessity to obtain a valid age concept for this period which had seen tremendous environmental changes and the advent of the genus Homo. On the other hand, instrumental improvements, such as the introduction of highly sensitive analytical techniques, gave rise to physical and chemical innovations in the field of dating. This rapid methodological development is still in full progress. The broad spectrum of chronometric methods applicable to young rocks and artifacts also becomes increasingly intricate to the specialist. Hence, it is my goal to present a comprehensive, state-of-the-art sum­ mary of these methods. This book is essentially designed as an aid for scientists who feel a demand for dating tasks falling into this period, i. e., Quaternary geologists and archaeologists in the broadest sense. Since it has been developed from a course of lectures for students of geological and archaeological sciences, held at the University of Heidelberg, it certainly shall serve as an introduction for students of these disciplines.

1 Introduction.- 2 Materials.- 3 Radiogenic Noble Gases.- 4 Uranium Series (Radioactive Equilibrium, Disequilibrium as Clock, Detection Techniques, Thermo-Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Gamma Spectrometry).- 5 Cosmogenic Nuclides (Atmospheric Production, In Situ Production, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry).- 6 Particle Tracks (Track Accumulation Age).- 7 Radiation Dosimetry (Radiation Damage, Natural Dose, Resetting, Fading, Dose Rate, Dose Rate Evaluation).- 8 Chemical Reactions (Reaction Kinetics, Diffusion).- 9 Paleomagnetism.- 10 Earth's Orbit, Climate and Age.- References.