On Iron Dating - lecture by Christian Matthias Huels
The Institute of Physics – Centre for Science and Education at the Silesian University of Technology held an open lecture, led by dr Christian Matthias Huels. He is a world-class iron C14 dating specialist.
Dr Christian Matthias Huels conducts research at the Leibniz Radiometric Dating and Isotope Research Laboratory, University of Kiel, Germany. The guest gave a lecture on radiocarbon dating of iron artifacts.
The properties of metallic iron, and in particular the ability to dissolve carbon in its crystal lattice, thereby increasing its mechanical strength, allow in principle radiocarbon dating, provided that the carbon source is contemporary with the metal production time.
The students had a chance to learn about the prerequisites and pitfalls of C14 iron dating on interesting archaeological examples.
- The lecture presents the results of research aimed at developing an effective method of coal extraction from iron artifacts. The research carried out by the author allowed to date some of the oldest tools made of iron, which indicates a long period of coexistence of bronze and iron technologies" - said the professor Andrzej Rakowski from the Division of Geochronology and Environmental Isotopes.
During the lecture there were also talks about the extraction of carbon from the iron network and radiocarbon measurements of known archaeological iron samples and modern iron standards with a known concentration of C14.
The scientist gave a lecture at the Silesian University of Technology at the invitation of the head of the Division of Geochronology and Environmental Isotopes. The Institute of Physics CND regularly invites well-known scientists to its thresholds - we encourage you to follow the information on the unit's website.
