Carbon 14 dating method, still in use

The carbon 14 (C¹⁴) dating method was developed in 1949-1950 and is used to determine the age of an artifact and can go back up to 50.000 years. The method can be used as a chronometer for dating purposes like in history or archaeology or as a tracer for a better understanding of the carbon cycle in the environment for instance. The C¹⁴ dating method is also used in seismology and volcanology, it allows scientists to draw a chronology of past events, to determine their frequency and to assess the risk of future events. In 1988 the Turin loincloth was dated back to the 13. century and this medieval age was quite a surprise for religious communities and scientists. (A.C.)