A review is presented of the various isotopic methods that have been used for the examination and authentication of objects of artistic and archaeological interest. The techniques discussed include: thermoluminescence dating of pottery; dating by measurement of natural alpha emitters; nuclear track dating; radiocarbon dating; beta, gamma and x-ray radiography; and nondestructive activation analysis by use of neutrons and charged particles. Discussions of the significance of the various techniques to art historians and archaeologists are included.