Radiocarbon dating of organic material such as bone or wood charcoal associated with prehistoric remains provides the most accurate means of dating for the archaeologist. Here, carbonized wood is being carefully collected from an ancient fire hearth. This prehistoric fishing camp at Tracadie proved to be about 1,100 years old. Campfires are good places to find charred (preserved) wood, bone, and plant remains such as seeds. To avoid contamination, metal tools are used to carefully collect the carbonized material, which is placed in a metal or glass container to be sent to the laboratory.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada
