[stanz]

By dating the rock, it allows for dating of the fossil embedded in it. That's why it's an important tool in paleoanthroplogy. Your orininal response to me suggested that that it was not useful in dating fossil hominid bones.

[RaceBannon]

It still isn't sufficient. Too many reports of different dates from differetn labs, even within the same lab. Also has to assume there is a certain amount of parent atom to 'prove' decay rate is accurate.