Martin Aitken facts for kids
Martin Jim Aitken was a brilliant British scientist who helped us understand the past. He was an expert in something called archaeometry. This is a special field that uses science to study ancient objects and sites. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which means he was a very important and respected scientist.
Who Was Martin Jim Aitken?
Martin Jim Aitken was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, on March 11, 1922. He loved learning and went to Wadham College, Oxford University to study physics. Physics is the science that deals with energy, motion, and how the universe works. After his studies, he became a fellow at Linacre College, Oxford. This means he was a senior member of the college, often involved in teaching and research.
A Career in Archaeometry
From 1985 until he retired in 1989, Aitken was a professor at the University of Oxford. He taught archaeometry, which was his main area of expertise. He was very passionate about using scientific methods to help archaeologists. Archaeologists are like detectives who dig up and study things from the past.
Aitken also helped organize important meetings every year. These meetings brought together scientists and archaeologists from all over the world. They discussed new ways to use science to find and date ancient objects. These meetings became known as the "Symposium on Archaeometry and Archaeological Prospection."
Dating Ancient Objects
One of Aitken's biggest interests was absolute dating. This means finding the exact age of ancient objects or sites. He worked on several important dating methods:
- Radiocarbon dating: From 1957, he used this method to find the age of organic materials like wood or bones.
- Thermoluminescence dating: Starting in the 1960s, he used this technique to date pottery and burnt flint.
- Optically stimulated luminescence: He later helped develop this method. It is used to date sediments and other materials.
These dating methods are super important for archaeologists. They help us understand when ancient civilizations lived and when events happened.
His Legacy
Martin Jim Aitken passed away in June 2017 at the age of 95. His work greatly advanced the field of archaeometry. Thanks to his efforts, scientists and archaeologists have better tools to uncover the secrets of the past.
