The study of stratigraphy enables scientists to determine the age of a fossil if they know the age of layers of rock that surround it. Scientists use carbon dating when determining the age of fossils that are less than 60,000 years old, and that are composed of organic materials such as wood or leather.

Why do you suppose we use carbon to date fossils?

Carbon-14, the radioactive isotope of carbon used in carbon dating has a half-life of 5730 years, so it decays too fast. This makes it ideal for dating much older rocks and fossils.