In 1946, Willard Libby proposed an innovative method for dating organic materials by measuring their content of carbon-14, a newly discovered radioactive isotope of carbon. Known as radiocarbon dating, this method provides objective age estimates for carbon-based objects that originated from living organisms.

When was radiocarbon dating discovered?

1946 In 1946, Willard Libby proposed an innovative method for dating organic materials by measuring their content of carbon-14, a newly discovered radioactive isotope of carbon. Known as radiocarbon dating, this method provides objective age estimates for carbon-based objects that originated from living organisms.

Who discovered radiocarbon dating method?

Professor Willard Libby Professor Willard Libby, a chemist at the University of Chicago, first proposed the idea of radiocarbon dating in 1946. Three years later, Libby proved his hypothesis correct when he accurately dated a series of objects with already-known ages.

Who is the person responsible for carbon dating?

chemist Willard Libby Seventy years ago, American chemist Willard Libby devised an ingenious method for dating organic materials. His technique, known as carbon dating, revolutionized the field of archaeology.