[net.origins] C-14 dating

richardt@orstcs.UUCP (richardt) (08/26/85)

Dangferous as it may be, here's a comment about C-14 dating.

The one major reason that C-14 dating can be off (noticeably) is that
the amount of C-14 in the atmosphere varies from era to era.  Because of this,
C-14 dating of objects since the Rise of Civilization (try ending of the Stone
Age) are less accurate than times before.  However, I think that some research
group is busily trying to map the C-14 concentrations around the world 
throughout history.  They're doing this by matching C-14 dates, archeological
data, and (where possible) written records about types of industry predominant
in different areas.

						orstcs!richardt
"(When companion turns purple) Somehow, I don't think that's what he wanted to
			       hear.  What do you think?"