Dating techniques organic carbon ratio

This technique is useful only when dating objects that are less than 50,000 years old (roughly 10 times the half-life of carbon-14). Older objects have too little activity to be accurately dated. This technique depends on cosmic-ray intensity being constant or at least predictable in order to keep the 14C/12C known throughout the time interval. Also, the sample must not be contaminated with organic matter having a different 14C/12C ratio. 

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