Transcript Chronology - Hollins University

Chronology
chronos – time
logos – study of, order of
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.