Dating and Authenticating Works of Art by Measurement of Natural Alpha Emitters

A method for distinguishing between modern and old samples of lead has been used to analyze certain works of art. The basis of the method is the detection of radioactive lead-210, which decays with a 22-year half-life when it is unsupported by its long-lived precursor, radium-226. The latter is separated chemically from lead when lead and lead products are prepared from the ore.