Carbon-14 dating, also known as radiocarbon dating, is a method used to determine the age of organic materials such as wood, charcoal, bone, and shells. This dating method relies on the decay of the radioactive isotope carbon-14, which is present in all living organisms. When an organism dies, it no longer absorbs carbon-14, and the isotope begins to decay at a known rate. By measuring the amount of carbon-14 remaining in a sample and comparing it to the initial amount of carbon-14, scientists can calculate how long it has been since the organism died. This method is commonly used in archaeology, anthropology, and other scientific fields to date archaeological sites, artifacts, and ancient human remains. Carbon-14 dating is a valuable tool for understanding the timeline of human history and the natural world.