radiocarbon dating C¹⁴

C14 Dating: Precise Age Determination for Your Projects

We coordinate professional C14 dating (radiocarbon dating) and stable isotope analysis to determine the age of organic materials. Measurement is carried out at an ISO 17025-accredited partner laboratory within the EU, so your archaeological, geological, or forensic samples are handled to an accredited standard from intake to certificate.

Measurement uses accelerator mass spectrometry with automated sample graphitization at the accredited partner laboratory. The instrumentation and the accredited workflow are what deliver the accuracy and reliability that C¹⁴ dating requires.

What is C14 Dating, and How Does it Work?

C14 dating, also known as radiocarbon dating, is one of the most commonly used methods to determine the age of organic materials. It is widely employed in archaeology, geology, and forensic science. This technique is based on measuring the isotope carbon-14 (C14), a radioactive isotope of carbon that occurs in small quantities in the atmosphere.

Technical Background

Formation of C14: C14 is formed in the upper atmosphere when cosmic rays interact with nitrogen atoms, converting them into carbon-14. This carbon-14 combines with oxygen to form CO₂, which is absorbed by plants through photosynthesis. Through the food chain, C14 enters all living organisms, including animals and humans.

Decay of C14: After the death of a living organism, the intake of carbon ceases, and the C14 present in the body begins to decay at a fixed rate. The half-life of C14 is approximately 5730 years, meaning half of the original C14 decays after this period. By measuring the remaining C14 in a sample, scientists can calculate its age.

AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry): At the partner laboratory, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is used to measure the ratio of C14 to C12 (a stable isotope of carbon) in a sample. This highly precise method allows for dating materials up to 50,000 years old. AMS is the preferred method, as it requires only small sample sizes and provides highly accurate results.

What Can Be Dated?

C14 dating is suitable only for organic materials that absorbed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during their lifetime. Suitable sample materials include:

• Wood and plant remains: Wood, leaves, seeds
• Animal materials: Bones, teeth, horn, leather, fur
• Carbon-based residues: Charcoal, ash, food crusts (charred food remains)
• Shells, corals, and other carbonate materials: These organisms absorb dissolved CO₂ from water during their lifetime
• Human remains: Particularly teeth and bones, including mummies, are excellent candidates for C14 dating

Materials such as metals, stones, rocks, or other inorganic substances cannot be dated using C14 methods as they contain no carbon.

Our Specialization in Human Remains

We specialize in dating human remains, recommending teeth as the preferred sample material for skulls and other remains. Teeth are highly resistant to external influences and typically provide the most reliable results for C14 dating. Mummies and well-preserved bones can also be accurately dated through this workflow.

Sample Requirements

Material	Preferred Mass	Minimum Mass
Bone	>2 g	600 mg
Charcoal	>20 mg	10 mg
Collagen	5 mg	n/a
Cremated Bone	4 to 5 g	2 g
Food Crust	>20 mg	10 mg
Leather	>50 mg	30 mg
Shells, Corals, CaCO₃	40 mg	20 mg
Tooth	1 to 2 teeth	1 tooth
Wood	>50 mg	30 mg

Stable Isotope Analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N)

In addition to C14 dating, we offer stable isotope analysis, including δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, providing valuable insights into environmental conditions, diet, and migration patterns of past populations. This technique is particularly useful in archaeology for understanding the lives of ancient cultures.

What is Stable Isotope Analysis?

Stable isotope analysis measures the ratio of stable isotopes in a sample. Stable isotopes do not decay over time, making them ideal for studying biological and geological processes. The isotopes we commonly analyze are δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N.

Technical Process

δ¹³C Analysis: The ratio of carbon isotopes (δ¹³C) can reveal dietary habits of humans and animals. Certain plants like maize (C4 plants) have a different photosynthesis pathway compared to wheat or rice (C3 plants), leading to distinct δ¹³C values. By analyzing bones or teeth, we can determine which plants or animals a person consumed, providing insights into agricultural practices of a culture.

δ¹⁵N Analysis: Nitrogen isotopes (δ¹⁵N) indicate an individual’s trophic level in the food chain. Higher δ¹⁵N values suggest a diet rich in animal protein, while lower values indicate a plant-based diet. These findings can reveal dietary habits, socioeconomic differences, and environmental changes.

Applications in Archaeology

• Reconstructing dietary habits: δ¹³C analysis can identify whether a population predominantly consumed C3 or C4 plants, offering insights into agricultural practices and social structures.
• Migration and origin: Combining C14 dating with isotope analysis can reveal migration patterns. Variations in isotope values between individuals or populations often indicate geographical movements.
• Environmental conditions: Isotope analyses help reconstruct past climatic and ecological conditions under which a population lived.

Costs and Turnaround Time

• C14 Dating: 579 EUR per sample
• Isotope Analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N): 89 EUR additional
• Turnaround Time: Approx. 4 weeks (prices include VAT)

Get in Touch

If you need precise C14 dating or stable isotope analysis for your project, feel free to contact us to learn more about our tailored services.