Carbon-14 dating, or radiocarbon analysis, is a reference method for dating organic materials back 50,000 years.
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Developed in the 1940s by Willard Frank Libby (winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1960), radiocarbon analysis is a technique for dating technique which determines the age of an organic sample by measuring the residual concentration of ¹⁴C. This radioactive isotope, absorbed by living beings during their lifetime, decays after their death at a regular rate, with a half-life of 5,730 years.
CIRAM uses AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) technology, which enables objects to be dated with great precision, even on micro-samples (a few milligrams).
This method enables analyses to be carried out over all time periods, up to 50,000 years, with results available within 10 working days of receipt of the sample.
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Carbon 14 is present in all materials of biological origin. This means that it can be used in a wide range of applications:
Unlike thermoluminescence dating (TL), which is limited to heated mineral materials, carbon 14 can be used to quantify biogenic content in all types of industrial matrices (solids, liquids, gases), and to obtain environmental certifications thanks to its compliance with international standards.
Request a quoteAn essential method in archaeology, carbon dating carbon-14 dating dating enables precise chronologies to be established for periods of up to 50,000 years. CIRAM is particularly involved in preventive archaeology.
This technique is used for :
Results available within 10 working days.
Read moreFor art market professionals, carbon-14 dating is a valuable technique for authenticating works containing organic components such as wood, paper or ivory. Its use enables :
CIRAM works with museums, auction houses, galleries and collectors to guarantee the reliability of their acquisitions.
Read moreIn a context of ecological transition, carbon 14 analysis allows us to (vs fossil carbon) in an industrial product.
Compliant with ASTM D6866 and EN 16640 standards, this analysis is used for :
CIRAM supports R&D and quality departments with measurement accuracy of less than 0.5%.
Read moreBased in France and recognized worldwide, the CIRAM laboratory offers carbon-14 dating services tailored to scientific, heritage and industrial requirements.
Rely on a leading European player to secure your analyses, enhance the value of your projects and guarantee the scientific reliability of your results.
Contact our teamsCarbon-14 dating is based on measuring the rate of decay of this radioactive isotope in an organic sample. The older an object, the less carbon 14 it contains.
Accuracy depends on sample age and sampling quality. In general, it is of the order of ±30 years in crude age.
No. Only elements containing carbon (wood, bone, ivory, etc.) can be dated using this method.
At CIRAM, results are delivered within 10 working days of receipt of samples.
The cost of a carbon 14 analysis depends on the nature of the sample, the technique used and the number of samples to be analyzed. Please contact us for a personalized quotation.
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