Professor Edward 'Teddy' Thomas Hall, a pioneer in the science of archaeometry at Oxford University, has died at the age of 77.

Prof Hall revolutionised the study of archaeology through his research into scientific techniques to date archaeological discoveries.

His foremost successes include exposing Piltdown Man - initially thought to be the missing link in human evolution - as an elaborate fraud, and carbon-dating the Turin Shroud.

Prof Hall was born in London on May 10, 1924. His father was Lt-Col Walter D'Arcy Hall, a former Conservative MP, and he grew up at Shipton Court, in Oxfordshire.

He was educated at Eton, went on to serve in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War and went to New College, Oxford, to study chemistry and physics.

In 1957 he married Jeffie de la Harpe, with whom he had two sons, and started his company, Littlemore Scientific Engineering, by his house in the Oxford suburbs.

The company made scientific instruments that sprung from his research including magnetometers and spectrometers, which went on to be sold in 107 countries.

Oxford University let him establish the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art based on his success in exposing the Piltdown Man myth and, in the 1970s, he realised the full potential of radiocarbon dating for archaeologists.

His renown was such that, in 1988, the Vatican gave him the prestigious assignment of dating the Turin Shroud, which was said to have wrapped the body of Christ after crucifixion.

He confidently declared it a hoax after radiocarbon dating suggested it was created between 1260 and 1390.

Prof Hall used the proceeds from his company to fund his scientific work and he chose to forgo his university salary.

In 1975 he personally raised £1m to create a salaried Chair of Archaeological Research at the university to ensure his work would continue after he retired.

Prof Hall's personal interests ran to the extravagant. He threw flamboyant fireworks parties, flew hot air balloons and toured the Mediterranean in a powerful 33ft motor boat.

He also had a love of Chinese porcelain, clocks and scientific instruments.

He built the Littlemore Clock, acknowledged as the most accurate pendulum clock ever created.

He was a trustee of the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Science Museum, an honorary Fellow of the British Academy and, in 1972, he was awarded a CBE.