Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-03T20:41:07.476Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Calibration of Radiocarbon Ages by Computer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Johannes Van Der Plicht
Affiliation:
Centre for Isotope Research, University of Groningen, Westersingel 34 9718 CM Groningen, The Netherlands
W G Mook
Affiliation:
Centre for Isotope Research, University of Groningen, Westersingel 34 9718 CM Groningen, The Netherlands
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A PC-based computer program for automatic calibration of 14C dates has been developed in Turbo-Pascal (version 4.0). It transforms the Gaussian 14C dating result on the 3σ level into a real calendar age distribution. It uses as a calibration curve a spline function, generated along the calibration data points as published in the Radiocarbon Calibration Issue. Special versions of the code can average several 14C dates into one calibrated result, generate smoothed curves by a moving average procedure and perform wiggle matching.

Type
III. Global 14C Variations
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

References

Aitchison, T C, Leese, M, Mook, W G, Otlet, R L, Ottaway, B S, Pazdur, M F, van der Plicht, J, Reimer, P R, Robinson, S W, Scott, M, Stuiver, M, Walker, J and Weninger, B, 1989, Comparison of methods used for the calibration of radiocarbon dates: Radiocarbon, this issue.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aitchison, T C, Ottaway, B S and Scott, E M, in press, Statistical treatment of groups of related radiocarbon dates, in Symposium on archaeology and 14C, 2nd, Proc: PACT.Google Scholar
Borland, , 1988, Turbo-Pascal, version 4.0: Borland Internatl, Scotts Valley, California.Google Scholar
Geel, B van and Mook, W G (ms), High resolution 14C dating of organic deposits using natural atmospheric 14C variations: Ms subm to Nature.Google Scholar
Hassan, F A and Robinson, S W, 1987, High-precision radiocarbon chronometry of ancient Egypt, and comparisons with Nubia, Palestine and Mesopotamia: Antiquity, v 61, p 119135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jong, A F M, de (ms) 1981, Natural 14C variations: PhD dissert, Univ Groningen.Google Scholar
Jong, A F M, de and Mook, W G, 1980, Medium-term atmospheric 14C variations, in Stuiver, M and Kra, R S, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 10th, Proc: Radiocarbon, v 22, no. 2, p 267272.Google Scholar
Mook, W G, 1983, 14C calibration curves depending on sample time width, in Symposium on 14C and archaeology, Proc: PACT, Pub no. 8, p 517525.Google Scholar
Mook, W G, Hasper, H and Plicht, J, van der, 1987, Background and procedures of 14C calibration, in Aurenche, O, Evin, J and Hours, F, eds, 1987, Chronologies in the Near East: CNRS Internatl Symposium, Lyon (France), BAR Internatl ser 379(i).Google Scholar
Mook, W G and Waterbolk, H T, 1985, Handbook for archaeologists no. 3: Radiocarbon dating, European Sci Found.Google Scholar
Pearson, G W, 1986, Precise calendrical dating of known growth-period samples using a “curve fitting” technique, in Stuiver, M and Kra, R S, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 12th Proc Radiocarbon, v 28, no. 2B, p 839862.Google Scholar
Pearson, G W, 1987, How to cope with calibration: Antiquity, v 61, p 98103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pearson, G W, Pilcher, J R, Baillie, M G L, Corbett, D M and Qua, F, 1986, High-precision 14C measurement of Irish oaks to show the natural 14C variations from AD 1848–5210 BC, in Stuiver, M and Kra, R S, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 12th, Proc: Radiocarbon, v 28, no 2B, p 911934.Google Scholar
Pearson, G W and Stuiver, M, 1986, High-precision calibration of the radiocarbon time scale, 500–2500 BC, in Stuiver, M and Kra, R S, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 12th, Proc: Radiocarbon, v 28, no. 2B, p 839862.Google Scholar
Plicht, J, van der, Mook, W G and Hasper, H, in press, Automatic calibration of radiocarbon dates, in Symposium on archaeology and 14C, Groningen, 2nd, Proc: PACT.Google Scholar
Reinsch, C H, 1967, Smoothing by spline functions: Num Mathematik, v 10, p 177183.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Renfrew, C and Clark, R M, 1974, Problems of the radiocarbon calendar and its calibration: Archaeometry, v 16, p 518.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stuiver, M and Kra, R S, eds, 1986, Calibration issue, Internatl 14C conf, 12th Proc: Radiocarbon, v 28, no. 2B, p 8051030.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stuiver, M and Pearson, G W, 1986, High-precision calibration of the radiocarbon time scale AD 1950–500 BC, in Stuiver, M and Kra, R S, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 12th, Proc: Radiocarbon, v 28, no. 2B, p 805838.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M and Reimer, P J, 1986, A computer program for radiocarbon age calibration, in Stuiver, M and Kra, R S, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 12th, Proc: Radiocarbon, v 28 no 2B p 10221030.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M and Reimer, P J, 1987, User's guide to the program Calib and Display Rev 2.1: Quaternary Isotope Lab, Univ Washington.Google Scholar
Suess, H E, 1970, The three causes of secular C14 fluctuations, their amplitudes and time constants, in Olsson, I U, ed, Nobel Symposium, 12th, Proc: Stockholm, Almqvist & Wiksell p 595605.Google Scholar
Vries, H, de, 1958, Variation in concentration of radiocarbon with time and location on earth: Koninkl Nederlandse Akad Wetensch Proc, v 61, ser B, p 19.Google Scholar
Willis, E H, Tauber, H and Münnich, K O, 1960, Variations in the atmospheric radiocarbon concentration over the past 1300 years: Am Jour Sci Radiocarbon Suppl, v 2, p 14.Google Scholar