Carbon dating, the archaeological workhorse, is getting a major reboot

Carbon dating, the archaeological workhorse, is getting a major reboot



Researchers use data from tree rings to calibrate the process of carbon dating. (Philippe Clement/Arterra/Universal Images Group/Getty)

A major reboot for carbon dating

Radiocarbon dating is due to be recalibrated using a slew of new data from around the world, including those from tree rings, lake and ocean sediments, corals and stalagmites. The result could have implications for the estimated ages of many finds — such as Siberia’s oldest modern human fossils, which according to the latest calibrations are 1,000 years younger than previously thought. Archaeologists are downright giddy. “This is a particularly exciting time to be working on the past,” says archaeological chronologist Tom Higham.

Nature | 5 min read