The most widely known form of radiometric dating is carbon-14 dating. This is what archaeologists use to determine the age of human-made artifacts. But carbon-14 dating wont work on dinosaur bones. Dinosaur bones, on the other hand, are millions of years old -- some fossils are billions of years old.

Can fossils be accurately dated?

There are two main methods determining a fossils age, relative dating and absolute dating. Absolute dating is used to determine a precise age of a fossil by using radiometric dating to measure the decay of isotopes, either within the fossil or more often the rocks associated with it.

Can you keep a dinosaur bone if you find it?

However, any fossils taken from federally owned rock may not be bartered or sold later. But in America, fossils discovered on private property belong to the landowner. So if you, as a resident of the United States, find a dino skeleton on real estate that you own, you can legally keep, sell or export it.

Can you sell fossils you find?

In the U.S., fossils excavated from the collectors personal property or with permission from other private property may be sold freely as a “finders-keepers” possession.

Do fossils have any value?

To a paleontologist, the only true worth of a fossil is its scientific value.