Radiocarbon dating and its applications in Quaternary studies
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Abstract. This paper gives an overview of the origin of 14C, the global carbon cycle, anthropogenic impacts on the atmospheric 14C content and the background of the radiocarbon dating method. For radiocarbon dating, important aspects are sample preparation and measurement of the 14C content. Recent advances in sample preparation allow better understanding of long-standing problems (e.g., contamination of bones), which helps to improve chronologies. In this review, various preparation techniques applied to typical sample types are described. Calibration of radiocarbon ages is the final step in establishing chronologies. The present tree ring chronology-based calibration curve is being constantly pushed back in time beyond the Holocene and the Late Glacial. A reliable calibration curve covering the last 50,000-55,000 yr is of great importance for both archaeology as well as geosciences. In recent years, numerous studies have focused on the extension of the radiocarbon calibration curve (INTCAL working group) and on the reconstruction of palaeo-reservoir ages for marine records.
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We initially chose not to radiocarbon date Stratum 6 because its expected chronological position (destroyed in 734 BC) would place it on the Hallstatt Plateau.
“We initially chose not to radiocarbon date Stratum 6 because its expected chronological position (destroyed in 734 BC) would place it on the Hallstatt Plateau [124].”
From The chronology of Gezer from the end of the late bronze age to iron age II: A meeting point for radiocarbon, archaeology egyptology and the Bible (2023) · cites this paper as [124]
The discussion of the calibration curve (section 7; page not available) says the Hallstatt Plateau complicates precise radiocarbon dating, supporting the general rationale. But it dates the plateau to approximately 700–400 BC, so it does not establish that 734 BC falls on it. The paper does not address Stratum 6 or the citing authors’ decision not to date it. (LLM, conf=0.85)
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References 111 · Cited by 130
Research works printed but not linked: 18
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- Authors
- Hajdas, I.
- Affiliations
- Montanuniversität Leoben (AT)
- Corresponding author
- Hajdas, Irka
- ORCID
- Hajdas, Irka
- Venue
- E&G Quaternary Science Journal
- Publisher
- Copernicus GmbH
- Published
- 2008-08-01
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 1/2
- Pages
- 2-24
- ISSN
- 0424-7116 (ISSN-L)
- 2199-9090
- OpenAlex
- W2973205196
- Cited by
- 130
- References
- 111
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 1.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- E&G Quaternary Science Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Geo-Leo e-docs (Deutsche Initiative für Netzwerkinformation) (publishedVersion)
- Geo-Leo e-docs (Deutsche Initiative für Netzwerkinformation) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- DORA PSI (Paul Scherrer Institute) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- FID-GEO SUB
- Funders
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Tree-ring climate responses
- Keywords
- radiocarbon dating, carbon-14, carbon cycle, anthropogenic carbon, sample contamination, radiocarbon calibration, tree-ring chronology, Quaternary chronology
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