Home / Current Affairs

Constitutional Law

Legality of Carbon Dating

    «    »
 16-Nov-2023

Source: Hindustan Times

Why in News?

Recently, the Supreme Court has given directions to the Haryana Government to ensure the preservation of Mangar Bani area from damages.

  • The SC gave this order in the case of M. C. Mehta v. Union of India and Ors.

What is the Background of M. C. Mehta v. Union of India and Ors Case?

  • The court gave the order on contentions based on a news report which stated that Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has set up a team to perform carbon dating on stone carvings.
    • The site is situated in the villages of Mangar and Kot within the Faridabad district of Haryana.
  • A team consisting of five members from the ASI is set to conduct carbon dating on the ancient stone carvings, which are thought to date back to the Upper Paleolithic era.

What is the Upper Paleolithic Era?

    • The Upper Paleolithic era is a period of prehistory that lasted from approximately 40,000 to 10,000 years ago.
    • It represents the later part of the larger Paleolithic period, which is characterized by the use of stone tools and the development of early human cultures.

    What were the Court’s Observations?

    • The SC noted that “There has been some press reports to the effect that carbon dating of paleolithic era stone carvings in the Aravalli's has been found and ASI has set up 5-member Committee. This area may thus require protection. The State of Haryana will file a response on this behalf and ensure that if the report is correct, no damage is caused in the area”.

    What is Legality of Carbon Dating in India?

    • Carbon dating, also known as radiocarbon dating, is a scientific method used to determine the age of archaeological artifacts or ancient remains by measuring the amount of carbon-14 they contain.
      • In India, the legality of carbon dating itself is not a specific issue.
    • Carbon dating is a widely accepted scientific method, and its use is not typically regulated by legal frameworks.
    • In the case of Smt. Laxmi Devi and Ors. v. State of UP through its Principal Secretary (2023), Allahabad High Court allowed the ASI to conduct Carbon Dating of a 'Shivling' inside the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.