text: is carbon dating reliable?   the premise of radio-carbon dating relies on an unproveable assumption. namely, that the rate of deterioration of the measured isotope has been consistant throughout the entire period of the earth's existence. since the rate of deterioration is variable under different atmospheric conditions, then we are brought to the question of atmospheric and climactic changes of what is assumed to be millions of years of the earth's age.   with the bible giving us a historical record (whether you accept the bible or not) of drastic changes in atmospheric conditions at the time of noah's flood, then the question will remain open to further proof. what science does acknowledge is that there was a massive flood in the past, though they term it a regional to the middle east.