The quantity of carbon-14 or another radioactive element that is still present in a fossil is often used as a foundation for absolute dating. The half-life of carbon-14 is calculated to be 5,370 years. A comparison of ages. Isotope Potassium-40 Decay Argon, the Product 1,300,000,000,000,000 years is the half-life. The process of rock or fossil ageing Three additional columns of the earth's oldest rocks