Based in Miami, Florida, Beta Analytic’s laboratory has been providing radiocarbon dates since 1979. This presentation will give an introduction to radiocarbon dating with a focus on what radiocarbon dating is and how it can be used. This includes a discussion on radiocarbon production in the atmosphere and integration into biological matter, carbon-14 variability in the recent past due to anthropogenic influences and the deep past due to solar cycles, and variability in dating uncertainty due to wiggles within the radiocarbon curve.

The presentation discusses types of organisms and artefacts that can be dated using radiocarbon. Furthermore, there is a focus on how radiocarbon is measured using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry and how that data can be used. Lastly, attendees learn about recommendations on how to best select and prepare samples for radiocarbon dating.