This article combines a brief and general survey of the development of the application of some scientific techniques in archaeology, with preliminary discussion of some of the work that the writer has been carrying out in the course of research on the development of iron technology in Ireland. Aspects of C14, thermoluminescent, and fission-track dating techniques are examined in the first section, and some suggestions are made as to possible applications to problems in Irish archaeology. The second section goes on to consider studies of metals with reference to artifact/raw material linkage, and comparative technology. The third section contains a brief outline of the importance of X-ray studies of ancient iron, both as a part of the conservation process, and also in identifying certain features.