Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-p2v8j Total loading time: 0.001 Render date: 2024-05-21T08:17:50.023Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Consideration of Some Basic Ideas for Quality Assurance in Radiocarbon Dating

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Roy Switsur*
Affiliation:
Cambridge University, Godwin Laboratory, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RS, UK
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.

Most radiocarbon ages are readily accepted by researchers in all disciplines. It is recognized, however, that discrepancies appear in the literature. These problems have been highlighted by the International Collaborative Study. The introduction of quality control and assurance techniques used in some laboratories for many years could reduce or eliminate aberrant results. I present here some of the basic considerations of this approach in the processes of conventional radiocarbon dating.

Type
Session IV
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

References

Nehmi, VA 1980 Isotopic fractionation of NBS oxalic 14C standard and its effects on calculated age of materials. in Stuiver, M and Kra, RS, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 10th, Proc. Radiocarbon 22(2): 501504.Google Scholar
Otlet, RL, Walker, AJ, Hewson, AD and Burleigh, RM 1980 14C interlaboratory comparison in the U K: Experiment design, preparation and preliminary results. in Stuiver, M and Kra, RS, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 10th, Proc. Radiocarbon 22(3): 936946.Google Scholar
Pearson, GW and Stuiver, M 1986 High-precision calibration of the radiocarbon time scale, 500-2500 BC. in Stuiver, M and Kra, RS, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 12th, Proc. Radiocarbon 28(2B): 839862.Google Scholar
Scott, EM, Aitchison, TC, Harkness, DD, Baxter, MS and Cook, GT 1988 An interim progress report on stages 1 and 2 of the International Collaborative Program. in Long, A and Kra, RS, eds, Internatl 14C conf, 13th, Proc. Radiocarbon 31(3): 414421.Google Scholar
Switsur, VR 1990 Statistical quality control graphs in radiocarbon dating. Radiocarbon, this issue.Google Scholar
Switsur, VR and Harkness, DD 1979 The radiocarbon dates. in Renfrew, AC, ed, Investigations in Orkney. London, Thames & Hudson, Soc Antiquaries: 7073.Google Scholar
Worsley, P 1980 Problems of the radiocarbon dating of the Chelford Interstadial in England. in Cullingford, RA, Davidson, DA and Lewin, J, eds, Timescales in geomorphology. New York, John Wiley & Sons: 289304.Google Scholar