Interpreting Radiocarbon Dates Using Evidence from Tree Rings

Abstract

Often it is not possible to date a sample of wood from the final growth ring of the tree from which it came. In these cases, an “old-wood offset” is apparent. A number of quantitative approaches for the assessment of this offset are available, dependent on the actual tree rings that have been dated. A range of examples are given, demonstrating how such radiocarbon measurements can be interpreted using additional information from archaeology and dendrochronology.