It may come as a shock to some, but fewer than 50 percent of the radiocarbon dates from geological and archaeological samples in northeastern North America have been adopted as "acceptable" by investigators. J. Ogden III. Discusses problems that have made radiocarbon unreliable, from ancient carbon-14 levels and contamination to abuse of reported ages. Illustrates effect of faulty chronology on genuine knowledge, with Ernst Antevs as example. Drastic change in attitude is essential, if radiocarbon is to become a valid means of dating the past.