Read Aloud — Archaeology

Carbon dating is a technique that measures the decay of radioactive carbon-fourteen in organic materials to estimate their age. It has revolutionised archaeology by providing a reliable method for dating objects up to approximately fifty thousand years old, far beyond the reach of written historical records.

Underwater archaeology has revealed remarkably well-preserved shipwrecks, submerged cities, and ancient trade routes that were previously unknown. The cold, dark conditions at the bottom of seas and lakes slow decomposition, allowing researchers to recover wooden structures, textiles, and even food remains that rarely survive on land.

Remote sensing technologies, including satellite imagery and ground-penetrating radar, allow archaeologists to discover buried structures without disturbing the soil. These non-invasive methods have led to the identification of previously unknown settlements and helped prioritise excavation sites, saving both time and resources in the process.