AboutJohn J. Shea Expertise Questions about Old World prehistoric archaeology (mainly Europe, Near East, and Africa during the Paleolithic period/Pleistocene Epoch).
IMPORTANT: I do not give advice about colleges. I do not appraise the value of artifacts or fossils.
Experience University professor of anthropology/archaeology since 1991.
Dozens of publications in peer-review anthropology journals.
Director of archaeological-paleontological expeditions and excavations in Israel, Jordan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
See my main profile under Allexperts` "Anthropology" section.
Professional website: http://www.sunysb.edu/anthro/staff/jshea.shtml
Personal website: http://www.sunysb.edu/anthro/Shea/Shea%20pers%20webpage.htm
Question Hello Mr. Shea, I appreciate the time you take to answer questions and just want to say thank you in advance. My question is on carbon dating:
1. Can you use carbon dating on clothing (cotton or wool) to determine the rate of decay?
2. If so, can you use this method on a piece that is only 70 years old?
3. If not, IS there an accurate method for dating such a young piece of fabric?
Thanks,
Mitch
Answer Mitch
1. In principle, yes. If you had clothing samples of sufficient age to date them with radiocarbon you could "calibrate" the rate at which the fabric samples decay.
2. No. It would have to be at least several centuries old in order for enough "dead" carbon to accumulate to give a valid age estimate.
3. I do not know of a radiometric method, but there is enough variation in weaving/fabrics that an expert could probably compare the fabric to samples whose ages were known from other sources.
Archaeologists rarely have to deal with fabrics so young in age. For this, your best bet would be to inquire of curator an art museum or an antiques appraiser.
Sincerely
John Shea
