Radiocarbon calibration

Radiocarbon calibration is the process of adjusting raw radiocarbon age estimates to account for variations in the Earth's atmospheric carbon-14 levels over time. Since the amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere has fluctuated historically, direct measurements can be misleading. By comparing radiocarbon dates to calibration curves built from samples of known ages, scientists convert raw data into more accurate calendar years. This allows us to determine the actual age of archaeological artifacts or fossils with greater precision, providing a clearer picture of historical timelines.