Why do historians use radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis on human bones?

Question

to identify the specimen and determine its age
to preserve and protect the bones from decay
to create a replica of the bones to store in a museum
to determine the beliefs and values of the deceased

Answer 1

Historians use radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis on human bones primarily to identify the specimen and determine its age.

Radiocarbon dating provides an estimate of when the organism died by measuring the amount of carbon-14 remaining in the bones, while DNA analysis can help identify the individual, determine their ancestry, and reveal other biological information that can inform about their life and context. These methods enhance our understanding of historical populations, migrations, and individual identities.