Which dating method is considered to be the most accurate for determining the age of fossils?

The electron-spin resonance (ESR) method is considered highly accurate for dating fossils, especially for those that are older than the range suitable for carbon-14 dating. ESR is based on the detection of unpaired electrons in materials such as tooth enamel and bone. This method allows for the dating of organic and inorganic materials in greater detail, making it particularly useful for fossils that may be millions of years old, beyond the practical limits of carbon-14 dating.

Unlike carbon-14 dating, which is effective for dating organic materials up to about 50,000 years old, electron-spin resonance can date materials that are much older, and it does not rely on the presence of carbon, expanding its applicability to a wider range of fossil types. This capacity for accuracy in dating older fossils positions ESR as a reliable method in paleontology and archaeology, allowing scientists to better understand the temporal context of the fossils being studied.

While stratigraphy provides valuable information regarding the relative positions of rock layers and the fossils within them, it does not offer precise numerical ages. Carbon-14 dating, while useful for more recent fossils, is limited by its effective range. Fission track dating is also a reliable method but is generally less common compared to ESR for certain types of fossil