Carbon-14 dating is a reference scientific method for determining the age of ancient organic materials. CIRAM uses this technique for three main areas of application:
Thanks to state-of-the-art instrumentation (AMS - Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) and rigorous protocols, we can analyze samples as small as a few milligrams, with an accuracy of less than 0.5%, even outside an archaeological context.
Contact our teamsThe radiocarbon dating allows for the precise determination of the age of an organic sample up to 50,000 years. It is used for:
It is from the measurement of radiological activity that our teams of scientists define the age of artifacts. After collection in the field, our laboratories guarantee results within 10 working days to meet the constraints of preventive archaeology.
Read moreThe carbon 14 technique is a recognized solution for verifying the authenticity of art objects made of organic materials such as wood, paper, ivory, or even bones. Used alone or in addition to analyses like xylology or radiography, it allows:
This method provides experts with a rigorous scientific basis to support their appraisals and guarantee the traceability of works.
Read moreFor industrial manufacturers, carbon-14 dating makes it possible to quantify the proportion of carbon of biological origin in a product, according to ASTM D6866 standards (bio-based products) and EN 16640 (biopolymer materials). This analysis is essential for:
With precision below 0.5%, CIRAM supports manufacturers in optimizing their formulations.
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Unlike radiocarbon dating, which applies to organic materials, thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating makes it possible to determine the age of mineral materials that have been heated (fired) or exposed to light (insolation), such as:
At CIRAM, we use the TL-OSL LexsygSmart reader, a cutting-edge technology ensuring reliable, reproducible, and fast results, even on small, restored, or poorly preserved ancient objects.
Thanks to these analyses, we meet the needs of archaeologists, heritage experts, and art market players for dating, authentication, and conservation.
Contact our teamsTL/OSL dating is an essential method in archaeology for determining the age of terracotta, ceramics, bricks, tiles, or hearthstones. It allows us to identify the moment an object was last heated, thus revealing its manufacturing date.
Particularly useful when carbon-14 dating is not applicable, this method:
In the field of cultural heritage, TL/OSL dating makes it possible to verify if a work made of terracotta, ceramic, or porcelain conforms to the supposed period of its creation.
By analyzing the luminescence emitted by the constituent minerals (quartz, feldspars), it is possible to :
OSL dating applies to sunlit sediments to estimate the time elapsed since their last exposure to natural light. This technique is valuable for reconstructing environmental or geological events:
Luminescence dating contributes to the scientific conservation of historical objects and museum collections. It allows for the assessment of the age of decorative or architectural pieces such as:
This method is particularly favored by museums, curators, and private collectors wishing to authenticate a piece before acquisition or exhibition.
For 20 years, CIRAM has been an international benchmark in scientific dating and materials analysis. Our laboratories support museums, art market experts, archaeologists, and industrialists by providing precise and rigorous analyses that comply with international standards.
Thanks to our expertise in carbon-14 dating and luminescence (TL/OSL), we help our clients authenticate objects, date artifacts, and characterize bio-based materials.
Our state-of-the-art equipment and strict protocols guarantee reliable, rapid results tailored to every need, whether you're appraising a work of art, studying an archaeological relic or validating an ecological certification.
We analyze a wide range of materials, whether organic (wood, ivory, bone, paper, textiles) or mineral (ceramics, terracotta, metals, glass, stones, sediments), using our different dating methods.
Carbon-14 is used to date organic materials, while luminescence (TL/OSL) is applied to minerals heated or exposed to light, such as ceramics and sediments.
We guarantee results within 10 working days for carbon-14 dating. Turnaround times for other analyses vary according to the complexity of the samples and the methods used.
We support our customers every step of the way. After making contact, we provide detailed instructions for shipping samples under the best possible conditions.
The cost of dating 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.
The CIRAM has dated two fossil woods whose exceptional preservation is explained in particular by their burial in a humid, oxygen-poor environment.
An essential dating method, carbon-14 or radiocarbon is used to date archaeological artifacts, authenticate works of art, or measure bio-based content.
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