@bonemuseum: Radiocarbon dating, or carbon-14 dating, is a fascinating tool archaeologists use to uncover the age of ancient bones and other organic materials. Living organisms constantly absorb carbon-14, a radioactive isotope created when cosmic rays collide with nitrogen in the atmosphere. But when an organism dies, it stops taking in carbon-14, and the isotope begins to decay at a predictable rate, with half of it breaking down every 5,730 years. By measuring how much carbon-14 remains in a bone, archaeologists can determine when the organism lived—unlocking timelines that stretch back tens of thousands of years. This technique has revolutionized our understanding of history, enabling us to date artifacts and human remains with incredible precision and connect them to the stories of our ancient past.

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Monday 02 December 2024 02:30:09 GMT