Archaeomagnetism: The dating of archaeological materials by their magnetic properties

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Abstract
Recent improved understanding of the processes by which archaeological materials may acquire a permanent magnetization means that archaeomagnetic techniques have been improved and a wider variety of materials can now be examined. Similarly, as the time‐variations of the earth's magnetic field are becoming better delineated, an annual, absolute time‐scale, initially based on varve chronology, is likely to become available within the next decade for certain areas. Some geomagnetic features also appear to be world‐wide and already permit international correlations which allow locally determined geomagnetic chronologies to be integrated. As a variety of archaeological materials appear likely to be suitable for dating by this technique it is important that the properties of such materials are examined now so that the full advantage of the magnetic chronology can be gained when the archaeomagnetic time‐scale is established.