Dating the time of birth: A radiocarbon calibration curve for human eye-lens crystallines

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Radiocarbon bomb-pulse dating has been used to measure the formation age of human eye-lens crystallines. Lens crystallines are special proteins in the eye-lens that consist of virtually inert tissue. The experimental data show that the radiocarbon ages to a large extent reflect the time of birth, in accordance with expectations. Moreover, it has been possible to develop an age model for the formation of the eye-lens crystallines. From this model a radiocarbon calibration curve for lens crystallines has been calculated. As a consequence, the time of birth of humans can be determined with an accuracy of a few years by radiocarbon dating.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Reseach B
Volume268
Issue number7-8
Pages (from-to)1303-1306
Number of pages4
ISSN0168-583X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

ID: 20656062