i It is important to remember, however, that scientists often use a :.ombination of relative and absolute dating techniques to estimate how old n object is. For example, it may not be possible to date a fossil directly for rarious reasons. In this case, researchers depend on using absolute dating echniques to measure the age of rock layers below and above the fossil to rive an approximate age of the fossil. At the same time, whenever it is )ossible, scientists will try to confirm the date of an object using a wide rariety of methods. For instance, if a dendrochronology analysis of a piece of vood from an ancient ship gives a date of 1000 years old, scientists would ry to use radiocarbon dating and relative-dating techniques to confirm that late. (1 )