Developments in Fired Clay Ceramic Rehydoxylation Dating (RHX Dating)

Michigan Technological University, California State University-Long Beach, and Arizona State University scientists have been collaborating on a critical assessment of the novel RHX Dating technique, pioneered by Wilson et al. (2009). The proposed technique asserts that the methodical process of mass gain in fired clay ceramics, as the ceramic fabric's remaining clay crystals form atomic bonds with hydroxyl molecules, can be measured and calculated as a clock to identify the number of years befor present that the ceramic was last fired. The three laboratories have run dozens of trials with varied methods, gaining valuable insight into the problems and promise of development. The posters in this session present overviews of data analysis which support cautious optimism for future development of the technique.