Problems in the Measurement, Calibration, Analysis, and Communication of Radiocarbon Dates (With Special Reference to the Prehistory of the Aegean World)

Abstract

Radiocarbon dating encounters (1) problems of reservoir effects and regional/seasonal variation affecting the chronological reliability of measurements, (2) problems of calibration of measurements via comparison with tree segments of known dendrochronological dates, (3) problems of statistical inference with respect to the data pre- and post-calibration, and (4) problems of the analysis and communication of information to archaeologists, historians, and other interested parties. This paper considers the special characteristics of each of the problem areas indicated in order to improve communication between 14 C scientists and the disciplines of archaeology, anthropology, and ancient history.