Dating techniques refer to methods used by researchers to determine the age of archaeological or geological materials. These techniques are important for understanding the timeline of human evolution, the history of Earth, and the development of civilizations. Some common dating techniques include radiocarbon dating, which measures the decay of carbon isotopes in organic material to determine its age; dendrochronology, which uses tree rings to date wooden artifacts; and thermoluminescence dating, which measures the amount of trapped electrons in minerals to determine their age. Other dating techniques include uranium-lead dating, potassium-argon dating, and optically stimulated luminescence dating, each with their own specific applications and limitations. By combining multiple dating techniques, researchers can obtain a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the age of a particular object or site.