The determination of the age of organic artifacts, such as ancient human remains or archaeological objects, is made possible through the utilization of carbon dating, a scientific method. This method relies upon the presence of a small quantity of radioactive carbon-14, which is a rare isotope of carbon, within all living organisms. As an organism perishes, it ceases to absorb carbon-14, resulting in a gradual reduction of this isotope through radioactive decay. By calculating the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in a given sample, scientists are able to approximate the duration since the organism's demise. This technique offers precise estimations of age up to approximately 50,000 years, thereby proving invaluable when dating artifacts from prehistoric eras. The impact of carbon dating on the field of archaeology has been groundbreaking, as it has played a pivotal role in comprehending the chronologies of human history and the evolution of diverse civilizations.
Carbon dating is a scientific method used to determine the age of organic artifacts, such as ancient human remains or archaeological objects. It relies on the fact that all living organisms contain a small amount of radioactive carbon-14, a rare isotope of carbon. When an organism dies, it no longer takes in carbon-14, and the amount of this isotope slowly decreases over time through radioactive decay. By measuring the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in a sample, scientists can estimate how long it has been since the organism died. This technique provides accurate age estimates up to around 50,000 years, making it particularly valuable for dating artifacts from prehistoric times. Carbon dating has revolutionized the field of archaeology and has been instrumental in understanding the timelines of human history and the evolution of various civilizations.
Carbon dating is a scientific method used to determine the age of ancient artifacts or fossils by measuring the amount of carbon-14 remaining in them.
