Queen's Scientist Develops Carbon Dating Breakthrough

A scientist at Queen's University Belfast has helped develop a new method to accurately date key events in history.

Professor Paula Reimer from Queen’s School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, along with Professors Paul Blackwell and Caitlin Buck from the University of Sheffield, have developed a new, internationally agreed carbon dating calibration curve.

"The curve will provide improved accuracy to archaeologists, environmental scientists and climate researchers who rely on radiocarbon dating to put their findings onto a reliable time-scale," a statement from Queen's said.

"The release of the new curve will mean that more precise date estimates can be obtained than previously possible. It will also reduce uncertainty about the timing of major events in the history and development of humans, plants and animals and the environments in which they lived."

Queen's says the new curve would enable the reliable dating of items such as the bones of King Richard III, which were excavated recently in a car park in Leicester.

Professor Reimer, who is Director of Queen’s 14CHRONO Centre for Climate, the Environment and Chronology, said: "This project built on research begun in the 1980s at Queen’s and elsewhere and is essential for the continued utility and development of radiocarbon dating."

Professor Caitlin Buck from the University of Sheffield, said: "We are proud to have developed such an important tool for archaeologists and environmental scientists, allowing them to more accurately date their findings and reduce uncertainty about the timings of major events. We’re also grateful to the more than 30 other scientists who have shared data and research ideas with us to make it all possible."

(IT/CD)