Progress of radiocarbon dating since its early days in the 1940's. The formation of Carbon 14, its absorption into living plants and its loss by radioactive decay are described. The importance of an accurate figure for the¹⁴C half life and natural fluctuations in ¹⁴C levels are discussed together with the use of tree ring calibration. Methods of sample preparation and counting are also described. Some of the uses made of ¹⁴C dates are mentioned. -- AATA