The present list comprises only research projects undertaken by the laboratory on the validity of radiocarbon dating of soil, shell, coral and very old samples, all in presence of suspected contamination. All measurements were performed on a Beckman LS-200 liquid scintillation spectrometer (Radiocarbon, 1968, v. 10, p. 179-199). The chemical treatment of samples is given within the text of each section.

Measurements have continued with the 6 L counter. A counter of similar design but with 1 L volume has recently been brought into operation. Despite replacement of the teflon parts, the 1.5 L Oeschger-type counter has not worked consistently and has not been used for dating. Results are not corrected for δ C13. Errors quoted refer only to the standard deviation calculated from a statistical analysis of count rates and the Libby half-life of 5570 ± 30 yr.

Alkali pretreatment is used for all samples of charcoal, peat, wood, and plant material provided they are of sufficient quantity. It is now standard practice to boil the sample in 5% HCl solution and filter, both before and after boiling it in 2% NaOH solution. Between each treatment it is washed in boiling distilled water and is finally oven dried at 110°C. Concentrations of acid and alkalis are varied to suit each sample but the sequence of the pretreatment is always the same. In some cases a humate extract is obtained by precipitation with weak acid from the alkali solution filtrate.

The collagen fraction is obtained from samples of bone using the method of Krueger (1966) by treatment with dilute acid under reduced pressure. The gas evolved during the treatment is usually discarded but is occasionally retained and dated as the mineral fraction.

After mechanical cleaning, samples of shell are dissolved in stages with 6N HCl to divide them into two or three fractions corresponding to the outer, middle, and inner layers of the shell. Normally the outer fraction is discarded when three fractions have been prepared.

The following list includes selected geologic and pollen dated samples measured since 1965. After moving to new laboratory quarters, we increased shielding to 470 g/cm2 on all sides and 660g/cm2 at the top. Background of our Houtermans-Oeschger-type counters filled with 700 mm Hg of acetylene is now:

Dates listed below are based on measurements made up to May 1968, and cover a period during which the technique of gas proportional counting using CO2 was gradually replaced by liquid scintillation counting using benzene. The gas counting measurements were carried out by the method and techniques previously described (Barker and Mackey, 1968) the only modifications being the replacement of some old electronic units by more stable solid-state equipment; proportional counting results are indicated in the text by (P) at the end of the relevant sample descriptions. Liquid scintillation counting, which is now the preferred method in this laboratory, is carried out using a Packard Tri-Carb liquid scintillation spectrometer model 3315/AES fitted with selected low-noise quartz-faced photomultipliers. Normally 3 ml of benzene is prepared from each sample. This is dissolved in 12 ml of scintillation grade toluene containing 5 gm/liter of scintillator (PPO) and the solution is measured in a standard low-potassium glass vial at a temperature of 0°C. Photomultiplier E.H.T., amplifier, and channel width settings are optimized for C14, and measurements are carried out at ca. 65% efficiency of detection for C14 to eliminate interference from any tritium which may be present in the benzene. Under these circumstances the background is approx. 8.6 cpm and the modern (95% Aox) is approx. 24.0 cpm. Samples are counted in groups of 3 to 5 together with background and modern reference samples and are measured for at least one week, the instrument being set to cycle at 100 min intervals. In this period, the counts accumulated are such that the background is always measured to a statistical accuracy of better than 1% and most other samples to a higher accuracy than this. Background and modern counts used in the calculation of each result are only those relevant to the period of measurement of that particular sample. Statistical analysis of groups of replicate measurements made under these conditions over a very long period of time has demonstrated the excellent long-term stability of the equipment and indicates that the technique is quite capable of achieving results of very high statistical accuracy when required.

This list continues Gakushuin VI (Radiocarbon, 1967, v. 9, p. 43-62), the same instruments and techniques having been employed.

Age calculations are based on the Libby half-life of C14, 5570 ± 30 years, and the modern activity given by 0.95 Aox, i.e., 95% of the activity of NBS oxalic acid standard. The errors quoted are the standard deviation obtained from the number of counts only. When observed activity is less than 2σ above background, infinite date is given with a limit corresponding to the activity of 3σ, and when it is greater than 0.95 Aox −2σ, modern date is given with a limit = 0.95 Aox —3σ. For shell samples, dates are computed without any correction for environmental and biological isotopic fractionation.

The description and comments are essentially those of the submitters.

The dates detailed below are a selection of C14 dates obtained from February 1966 to December 1967 for geologic samples. The method is essentially the same as described previously in Radiocarbon, 1966, v. 8 p. 74-95. All samples were subjected to pretreatment, differing in individual cases, to remove contamination. On one of our three installations, modern transistorized equipment replaced the original electronics.

All dates reported have been calculated on the assumed half-life of 5568 yr for C14, and of 1950 as the reference year.

This list reports certain measurements made from 1965 to 1967. These samples are devoted to a special study of organic matter in soils. The work in large part is the subject of a thesis defended in Paris by S. M. Nakhla, 1968.

This list contains dates for Latin America which have mainly been measured during the past few years. The results are grouped into three categories: geologic, archaeologic, and geophysical, and arranged according to the country of provenance, passing roughly from N to S. Most of the geologic samples are connected with palynologic studies. In cases where the influence of man is apparent in the pollen diagrams, this is explicitly mentioned. Descriptions and comments are based on information provided by the collectors or submitters and on the publications referred to under each sample or series. For the archaeologic section reference has also been made to the general works of Meggers and Evans (1963), Jennings and Norbeck (1964), and Willey (1966).

This study was started during the summer of 1965 because of the discrepancy observed between dates obtained from wood charcoal and charred corn samples collected from the same archaeologic sites. These results are listed in Table 1.

The radiocarbon dating laboratory of the Illinois State Geological Survey has been established to satisfy a growing need for radiocarbon dates for an active Pleistocene research program. Because of the age and type of material dated, the benzene liquid scintillation counting method is employed in this laboratory. The detailed chemical procedure for converting carbon to benzene has been published by Noakes, Kim, and Stipp (1965) and Noakes, Kim, and Akers (1967); however, the procedures for benzene synthesis and sample counting are briefly explained below to clarify this laboratory's procedure.

An organic sample, such as peat, organic silt, or wood, is burned and the CO2 evolved is absorbed in NH4OH. SrCl2 solution is added to precipitate the carbonate, and the solution plus precipitate is boiled and cooled before filtration of SrCO3. The SrCO3 is acidified with dilute H3PO4 to liberate CO2 in a closed system, and the CO2 is converted to C2H2, as reported by Barker (1953). In this method, 2.4 gm of dry packed lithium, obtainable from the Lithium Corporation of America, is used for each liter of CO2 that is converted to C2H2. Trimerization of the C2H2 to form C6H6 is accomplished using a vanadium-alumina catalyst.

To the C6H6 synthesized from the sample carbon, 2 cc of toluene containing 100 mg Butyl-PBD, 2-(4-tert-Butylphenyl)-5-(4-Biphenylyl)-1,3,4-Oxadiazole, are added, and this mixture is made to a total volume of 10 cc with spectrograde C6H6. A modified Packard Instrument Co. liquid scintillation spectrometer (Model 3375) is used for measurement of C14 activity.

Ages are calculated from a C14 half-life of 5568 years, and the standard deviation (1σ) is based only on counting errors; however, if calculated error is less than 200 years, 200 years is chosen as one standard deviation (1σ).

The laboratory renewed operations in January, 1968 after a year's inactivity due to the absence of the head, who was on leave at the University of Bonn. Synthesized benzene continues as the dating medium, but various improvements have been made on the chemical method in order to increase capacity. Combustions are no longer carried out for normal materials. Instead, charcoal samples are used directly (after the usual pretreatment) and wood, plants, cloth, etc. are carbonized in a nitrogen atmosphere. Charring is a considerably more rapid procedure than combustion since it eliminates the CO2 collection, carbonate precipitation, and filtration steps. The charcoal then is reacted with molten lithium metal. Also, it was found that carbonates are attacked directly by hot lithium to produce carbides and the preliminary generation of CO2 gas is not indispensable. The carbide, cooled to room temperature, is reacted with old water (IVIC-317, Radiocarbon, 1967, v. 9, p. 240), the acetylene separated from hydrogen in a double liquid nitrogen-cooled trap, and benzene produced with a chromium activated silica-alumina catalyst.

The following dates are samples measured since publication of Kiel III (Radiocarbon, v. 10, p. 328–332). Age calculations are based on 95% of the activity of NBS oxalic-acid standard as modern value of A.D. 1950. Results are calculated with Libby half-life and reported in yr before 1950. Error corresponds to 1σ variation of sample net counting rate as well as modern standard and background, but does not include the uncertainty in C14 half-life and in secular C14 variations. Dates are not corrected for isotopic fractionation.

The C14 measurements reported here were made in this laboratory between September 1967 and October 1968.

The C14 dates given below are a continuation of the work presented in our previous list (Radiocarbon, 1968, v. 10, p. 333-345), and have been obtained by counting CO2 at ca. 2 atm pressure in a 2.7 L stainless steel counter. Results obtained mainly during 1968 are described.

Dates have been calculated on the basis of the C14 half-life of 5568 yr and 95% of NBS oxalic acid as modern standard.

The following list includes a selected number of measurements made during 1967-1968 in the Natural Radiocarbon Laboratory of the Centre de Recherches Radiogéologiques de Nancy. This list is a continuation of Nancy Natural Radiocarbon Measurements I (Radiocarbon, 1968, v. 10, p. 119-123). The dating method, counting technique, and equipment are described in that list. All measurements were made in a proportional counter with a capacity of 1.16 L, normally filled with CO2 under a pressure of 736 mm Hg. Ages are calculated using a C14 half-life of 5568 yrs with 1950 as reference yr. Modern standard used following samples Ny-118 is 95% of NBS oxalic acid activity. The SC14 mentioned later in the date list are calculated according to Broecker and Olson (1959).

This list is a continuation of Univ. of Pennsylvania Dates VII (Radiocarbon, 1965, v. 7, p. 179-186). It includes results for samples of Sequoia gigantea and for Pinus aristata, most of which were tree-ring dated at the Lab. of Tree-Ring Research, Univ. of Arizona.

All sequoia and bristlecone pine samples have been corrected for deviations in C13/C12 ratios. The δC13 values listed represent the deviations (multiplied by 2) of the samples measured from the δC13 value of our 100-yr old standard oak sample which is also the reference value (adjusted for zero age) for the calculation of δC14. In our previous publication (Radiocarbon, 1965, v. 7, p. 179-186), δC13 values were erroneously reported as negative deviations from our oak standard. For the calculation of the Δ's, however, they were used in the correct sense. This mistake has been corrected in this list and one notes that the sequoias and bristlecone pines tend to be enriched slightly in C13 as compared with the oak standard.

We list measurements carried out between June and November 1968. Archaeologic samples are from Italian and Swat (W Pakistan) territories; all geologic samples are from Italian territory.

Chemical preparation of samples, measurement technique, and the modern standard are unchanged (Bella and Cortesi, 1960; Alessio, Bella, and Cortesi, 1964; Alessio et al., 1968).

For each sample of CO2 the counting rate was corrected according to mass-spectrometrically measured C13/C12 ratio. Isotopic analyses were carried out with a 6 in., 60°-sector, double-collecting mass spectrometer, designed and built by G. Boato at Ist. di Fisica, Univ. of Genoa (Boato et al., 1960) and now in use at Ist. di Geochim., Univ. of Rome. C13/C12 ratio is reported as δ-value, the deviation in parts per mil of the C13/C12 ratio of sample from the PDB standard:

The peculiarities of the geologic structure of the Caucasus, of Georgia in particular, and the existence of numerous rich archaeologic monuments on the territory of the Georgian SSR have made it necessary for the Scientific Laboratory to date both geologic and archaeologic samples.

We continue to give dates based on the half-life of 5568 years according to the decision of the Sixth Pullman Conference (Internatl. Conf., Pullman, 1965). The year 1950 has been used as a reference year for converting the dates to A.D./B.C. scale. A value corresponding to 95% net counting rate of the NBS oxalic acid has been used as the modern reference standard.

Radiocarbon measurements in the list below were made during the period from Sept. 1967 to Aug. 1968. Our measuring system is based on acetylene counting in an Oeschger-Houtermans-type proportional counter (1 L) at a pressure of I atm. All data are based on duplicated measurements. For calculation of ages, 95% activity of NBS oxalic acid is used as the modern standard and the value of 5570 ± 30 years is used for the half-life of C14. Details of procedures are given in the previous report (Radiocarbon, 1968, v. 10, p. 144-148).