Based on his expertise on ancient documents and biblical genealogies, the Irish Archbishop James Ussher (1581–1656) estimated that our planet was created in the morning of October 23, 4004 BC. Our understanding of world chronology has come a long way since Ussher’s times, thanks to many of the clever dating methods we have developed.

10Linguistic Dating

As time goes by, two geographically isolated communities that speak the same language will display differences in the way they talk. After a few generations, language change becomes more significant. After thousands of years, we’re most likely faced with two related but totally independent languages.

Linguistics can date text on documents, pottery, building walls, and numerous other surfaces. Many important ancient texts have been dated on the basis of linguistic comparison, such as the Zoroastrian Avesta, which is believed to have been written somewhere between 1200–1500 BC based on linguistic similarities with the Indian Vedas.

9Tree-Ring Dating (Dendrochronology)

Most tree species produce new wood each year, resulting in rings of growth that can be easily detected in a cross-section of its trunk. By matching ring sequences from living trees of different ages, it is possible to create a long tree-ring sequence for hundreds, sometimes even thousands of years back in time.

In Alchester, north of Oxford in England, the remains of a Roman fort was uncovered by archaeologists. Thanks to the soil conditions, two large timbers that supported the gate structure survived. Dendrochronological analysis established that both trees were cut between October in the year 44 and March in the year 45, a date consistent with historical data, since the Roman conquest of Britain dates to AD 43.

8Seriation Dating

Many of us can mentally arrange most human creations in a chronological sequence. Archaeologists can do the same with past artifacts. Creations coming from a particular place and time display a distinctive style.

Pottery styles seriation is the foundation of many chronological sequences. Most human cultures later than 8000 BC possess a distinctive ceramic style. In Greece, for example, the Black Figure pottery style (black figures on red background) was dominant from 625 BC until 530 BC, when it became replaced by the Red Figure pottery (red figures on black background). A fragment of Greek Black Figure pottery found in an archaeological context may indicate that the context is no earlier than 625-530 BC.

7Thermoluminescence

Thermoluminescence (TL) can be applied to crystalline materials buried in the ground that have been previously exposed to fire, such as pottery. During a TL test, pottery is heated up, releasing trapped energy in the form of light. This light is measured, revealing the amount of time since the formation of the crystal structure.

From the moment the vessel was fired until the moment it is analyzed, the vessel had been absorbing radiation from the nearby environment. This energy is trapped and accumulated in the pottery’s mineral structure. For an accurate reading, archaeologists have to measure the radiation level at the exact place where the sample was found in the soil. This radiation level is not representative of the radiation level to which the sample was exposed prior to being buried, which is why TL dating has a precision of plus or minus 10 percent and it is often cross referenced with other dating methods.

6Electron Spin Resonance

Like TL, Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) also measures trapped energy. Unlike TL, the ESR test does not heat up the sample, which makes it suitable for materials that decompose when exposed to high temperatures.

ESR is typically used to date tooth samples. Once buried, tooth enamel begins to accumulate energy derived from background radiation. The precision of ESR dating is plus or minus 10–20 percent. Although this figure might seem inaccurate, ESR can provide valuable results for the study of early humans, where we often deal with figures of hundreds of thousands of years.

5Chronologies And Calendars

The dating of the most recent human past used to be largely based on historical chronologies, records and calendars left behind by past civilizations. But ancient calendars tend to run based on a local timekeeping system, normally aligned to a succession of local kings or ruling dynasties. The only way to make these calendars meaningful is to link them with our own calendar.

When two or more of these societies become in touch, we can sometimes find the same events recorded in two independent timekeeping systems, which allows us to align these different calendars. Alexander’s conquest of Egypt in 332 BC, for example, aligns Egyptian and Greek timekeeping systems.

4Cross-Dating

Before modern dating scientific techniques were developed, cross-dating was applied when artifacts from a known sequence coming from a historically dated region was found in areas for which we did not have any reliable chronological information.

While excavating the Palace of Knossos in the Greek island of Crete, several imported Egyptians items dated to 1500 BC were retrieved. This, combined with several examples of Cretan pottery found in Egyptian archaeological contexts of around 1900 BC, allowed archaeologists to extend Egyptian chronology into Crete.

3Radiocarbon Dating

Although the atom of carbon normally has six neutrons in its nucleus (carbon-12), we are surrounded by a small quantity of carbon containing eight neutrons (carbon-14). Carbon-14 is a high energy, unstable atom and tends to decay. The amount of carbon-14 in a given sample will be reduced to half (this is known as half-life) approximately every 5,700 years.

When an organism dies, the exchange of energy and matter stops, and it can no longer incorporate carbon-14 in its tissue. As time goes by, the amount of carbon-14 is reduced, and because we know the rate at which this loss takes place, we can estimate the time elapsed based on the reading of carbon-14 concentration.

This technique can be applied to almost any organic material (human remains, charcoal, plant remains, etc.). One limitation is the age of the sample: Material older than 70,000 years old do not have enough carbon-14 concentration to allow a precise reading. The same happens with samples that are too recent because the concentration of carbon-14 might be too high.

2Potassium-Argon Dating

Radiocarbon dating applied to East African hominin fossils did not produce any results, which suggested the remains of the earliest members of our human evolutionary tree were older than 70,000 years old. Archaeologists sought the help of geologists and a dating method known as Potassium-Argon dating.

Potassium-40 is a radioactive isotope that decays into argon-40, an inert gas. When new volcanic rock is formed, its content of argon-40 is emptied as the gas escapes. Its half-life is about 1.3 billion years. A reading of the relative number of potassium-40 and argon-40 atoms in a volcanic rock sample can be translated into the amount of time elapsed since the formation of the rock.

Many important archaeological sites where early hominins were found are located in areas abundant in volcanic rock. Sometimes, hominin remains are found within a geological layer that can be dated using the potassium-argon technique and some other times they are sandwiched between layers of volcanic rock that can be also dated with this dating method.

1Stratigraphy

As archaeologists conduct an excavation, they expose and study the stratification of the soil (the multiple layers of soil underneath the surface). If no evidence of either human or natural disturbance is found, it is assumed that the underlying layers were deposited prior to the overlying layers.

Stratification only tells us a relative chronological sequence from the earliest bottom layers to the newest archaeological deposits on the top. Some of the material we retrieve from these layers will be suitable for absolute dating. We may find organic material (e.g. bones) suitable for radiocarbon dating or maybe pottery fragments suitable for a Thermoluminescence test. In those cases, we can establish a date for all other items found in the same layer.

If you are thinking about having a nice time with your spouse and you are thinking of having it at home, then we are on the same page. Yes, you are thinking right. You can spice up your love at home. So, this piece comes with some stay-at-home date ideas you can take advantage of without breaking the bank or killing yourself with much stress while planning it out.

It also means that a date doesn’t have to be somewhere in the eatery, recreational facilities, bar, club, etc. It can happen in the house too. The essential thing in a date is to have time to share and be together intimately. So, it’s a great idea that you can hang out with your partner right in your home too. You may begin by making some decorations at home to put you guys in the mood and make it different.

Well, the world itself has changed from what it used to be. Moving around for a date may not be advisable. Remember that Covid19 has not backed down. It is safer to do this to avoid being a victim of covid19. With a stay-at-home date ideas, you would have abolished the stress of moving around. Kindly take your time to read through each and choose one for yourself and your partner.

These are 15 Great Stay At Home Date Ideas.

Paint And Sip Idea

Paint and sip is a great date idea for you and your spouse. It’s just the same thing you do in a paint and sip outing. All I am saying is, bring the idea home. Simply get blank canvases, some paints, and bottles of wine. So, make the moment counts with your painting exercise. Enjoy every moment of the painting. You may add other activities to spice up the moment and make it unique.

Food Date Idea

Here is another idea for a home date that you and your partner can try out. Simply get food ingredients ready. You may select a meal type outside your regular. It could be something you eat once in a while. Then make the date happen in the kitchen as you show your skills. Spice it up with light music. You can even make a food manual available. Make sure you rate the outcome, I mean the food.

Video Games Idea

Not a video game fan before now? Well, it is another great stay-at-home date ideas. Just check out one video game and get it ready for a great time. You play, laugh, and have a great time together. There are lots of video games to select from. These may include but are not limited to strategy, sport, etc. Choose any one that will be of interest to you and your partner. Of course with drinks and something to make the moment count.

Backyard Camp Idea

This is a great home date idea. You can make a camp happen in your backyard with your partner. It gives you the two experiences; you feel in a camp and at home. The vegetation in your backyard can give you that camping feeling. You can add other things to make it great.

Puzzle Date

Create a date with your spouse to solve the puzzle together at home. The puzzle may seem old-fashioned or underrated but it’s a great way to catch fun and make the moment great. It can be picture puzzles, an alphabet, or simply arithmetic arrangements. Whichever one, be sure you are in for a nice time. You can spice it up with discussions in between.

Draw Me Out Idea

Make the home date count by making it a draw-me-out challenge. Simply provide drawing materials. Then take a posture of your choice and wait why your partner draws you out. Spice up the draw-me-out date with great drink, music, and conversation. Artistic couples will this more interesting.

See also: TOP 10 Useful Advices For Your First Date.

Family History Idea

This home date idea will not only give you memorable moments but will also bond you and your partner together. So, you have the opportunity to share histories in your family that your partner doesn’t know. Your partner can also share what they think on what they know about your family. Spice the moment with other side attractions.

Sing Aloud

Try out this great idea. All you need to do to make it great and special is to sing along or mime the songs. So, simply get an old playlist of songs. You can as well get the lyrics. You will be shocked at how much fun you will get from this. You can try those miming things and see how you can go with old and new songs. You can begin with college days music.

See also: How to propose a girl? 10 proven ways.

Personality Test

Well, here is another way to get started with the fun. Take your personality test together and have your results. After getting the results, discuss them. But you can take the test together. This is where you maybe be knowing something new about your partner. So, you catch more fun while you know your partner more. You may even get to discover more than you think there is to your partner.

Digital Event Idea

You can make it a date with your partner in your home as you go for the digital event. So, you learn and laugh together especially if it’s an entertainment digital event. It promises to be great as you engage your partner. It can be something like a comedy show, couples night, or anything to get you together. Just connect.

Don’t Forget The Steps

I will advise this, especially for older couples. Remind yourself of the dance steps. Call it any moment but let it take you back to some dance steps in your history. Remember the dance steps that stole your heart then, it can still do the magic now. Try this stay-at-home date idea, I am sure you will be glad you did. You may spice it with other things to make it a great stay-at-home date.

Something New

This is another one to try among the stay-at-home date ideas, here you will need to identify something you can learn together in a few words. Even if you don’t learn it all in one sitting, at least get started in love. You can even see these things on YouTube. There is hardly anything you want to learn that is not there. You will even get a step-by-step video. You only need to select the things that you want to learn that can connect both of you. You can as well get a manual that gives instructions on how to go about understanding that particular thing or subject.

Tie-Dye Craft

Here is another great stay-at-home date idea that can enable you and your spouse to get creative, catch fun and make the moment count. Simply get a kit for tie-dye and some white cloth on which the design will be appearing. Make some great designs with the love of your life as you have a great time out. You can create designs with it that will serve as your souvenir for your home date. Make sure you add some music depending on the genre you love. That’s you making the moment count for you both.

Technology Aside Idea

This is another great idea to experience yourselves and keep the fire of your love burning. Put all forms of technology aside so that you can see just yourselves. There should be no interference with the outside world through SMS, chats, calls, etc. Well, this technology seems to be taking more from our relationship than it is adding. You may either move them aside or pick a venue in your home where you will neither see them nor be influenced by them. It’s a moment for you and your partner. This is a great idea much more than you can ever think of.

Through The Pages Idea

You can as well consider this great date idea for a home date. Get a nice short romantic book you can read together. Take turns to read it to each other while you discuss the book content. Pick a book with a theme or something you and your partner will enjoy together. It will foster the connection with your partner if it is done regularly. Blend it with light music in the background and drinks. It promises to be great.

These are great but simple stay-at-home date ideas for couples. Interestingly, these are not expensive. These ideas can be achieved without you breaking the bank. This list was made with your pocket in mind. It only calls for creativity and it does not necessarily have to be expensive. It can only come with creativity. Just do something outside the box. The more creative you are about it, the more you enjoy it.

Finally, please note that the relationship only works by the extent to which you have worked it. If you see other people’s relationships getting stronger, it is because they decided to work it out. This is part of the strategy to work your relationship with your partner. Try out as many as possible any of these stay-at-home date ideas in this piece. This is the moment for it, at least for now until covid19 infections drastically go down.

Article written by: Adeyemi Bello