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Development of Radiocarbon Dating

1949 · 20th Century

Technology

Radiocarbon dating was developed by Willard F. Libby and his colleagues at the University of Chicago, and formally published in the journal Science in December 1949. The revolutionary technique enabled scientists to accurately determine the age of organic materials up to 50,000 years old, transforming archaeology, geology, and many other fields of science.

Key Figures

Willard F. LibbyErnest C. AndersonJames R. Arnold

Locations

ChicagoKent Chemical Laboratory

Topics

carbon-14leanderthal ladyradiocarbon datingarchaeologywillard libby

Connected Events — 1 Connection

Radiocarbon dating provided the first reliable method to date Clovis sites, establishing the 11,500 BCE timeline and sparking debates about early human migration to the Americas Clovis Culture

11,500 BCE · Technology · Prehistoric

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