ANU Radiocarbon Laboratory

We research a wide range of topics relating to the use of carbon-14 in the environment. This includes using carbon-14 for dating purposes in, archaeology and forensics and as a  carbon-14 as a tracer in the global carbon cycle, both in soils and in ocean circulation.

group Group
Biogeochemistry
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Stewart Fallon
Stewart.Fallon@anu.edu.au

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About

We research a wide range of topics relating to the use of carbon-14 in the environment. This includes using carbon-14 for dating purposes in, archaeology and forensics and as a  carbon-14 as a tracer in the global carbon cycle, both in soils and in ocean circulation.

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Radiocarbon dating: background

Three isotopes of carbon are found in nature; carbon-12, carbon-13 and carbon-14.   Carbon-12 accounts for ~99.8 % of all carbon atoms, carbon-13 accounts for ~1% of carbon atoms while ~1 in every 1 billion carbon atoms is carbon-14. 

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Sample submission

If you would like to submit samples to the radiocarbon dating laboratory please contact radiocarbon email / either Rachel Wood (archaeological samples) or Stewart Fallon (all other sample types) to obtain a sample submission form.

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Prices for radiocarbon dating

Please contact us (click stewart.fallon@anu.edu.au email) for collaborative research, internal ANU and bulk discount prices

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Laboratory methods

Some of our routine sample preparation methods are summarized below. This is not an extensive list of the sample types we date. If you require more detailed information or would like to submit an unusual sample type, please let us know.

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Publication of radiocarbon dates

Radiocarbon dates are far too often poorly published. If you need any help with interpretation or extra information for the publication of your dates please ask us.

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