How do we compute the age of a fossil? | Class 12 Biology Chapter Evolution, Evolution NCERT Solutions

There are various methods for the determination of age of fossils and these are following:

1. Relative dating method: relative dating of the rocks was carried out by estimating the position and the rate of erosion in particular environment. Older rocks, being deeper had older or ancient fossils; and superficial rocks had more recent fossils. It does not tell any specific dates, only estimates whether the object is younger or older that are found at the site.
2. Absolute dating method: this method determines how much time have passed since the rock formation occurred by measuring the radioactive decay; or based on the property of spontaneous decay of unstable radioactive nuclei into stable form at the constant rate. This involves three techniques: Uranium- Lead Technique, Carbon (C¹⁴) Dating Technique and Potassium- Argon Technique.