World’s largest hoard of carbon dates goes global

Scientists hope pooled records could answer major archaeological questions and map human migration patterns.

Radiocarbon dating has long been used to reveal the age of organic materials — from ancient bones to wooden artefacts. Scientists are now using the amassed dates for wider applications, such as spotting patterns in human migration. And a Canadian database is poised to help researchers around the world to organize this trove of archaeological and palaeontological data, and to address problems that have plagued carbon dating for years. Read more.