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.

What is carbon dating in history terms?

: the determination of the age of old material (such as an archaeological or paleontological specimen) by means of the content of carbon 14. Other Words from carbon dating Example Sentences Learn More About carbon dating.