Book contents
- Archaeological Science
- Archaeological Science
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Acknowledgements
- Part I Introduction
- Part II Biomolecular Archaeology
- Part III Bioarchaeology
- Part IV Environmental Archaeology
- Part V Materials Analysis
- Part VI Absolute Dating Methods
- 18 Radiocarbon Dating
- 19 Luminescence Dating
- Index
- References
18 - Radiocarbon Dating
from Part VI - Absolute Dating Methods
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 December 2019
- Archaeological Science
- Archaeological Science
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Acknowledgements
- Part I Introduction
- Part II Biomolecular Archaeology
- Part III Bioarchaeology
- Part IV Environmental Archaeology
- Part V Materials Analysis
- Part VI Absolute Dating Methods
- 18 Radiocarbon Dating
- 19 Luminescence Dating
- Index
- References
Summary
The radiocarbon (14C) method underpins most chronologies for the last 50,000 years, due to the accuracy and ubiquity of the technique, suitable for organic material and some carbonates, with uncertainties in the tens to hundreds of years. It is used widely in archaeology, and in studies of past environmental change, but there have been problems to overcome. This chapter outlines the basic principles and examines some of the key developments in the technique.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Archaeological ScienceAn Introduction, pp. 407 - 423Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2020