Updating the past: The Establishment of the International Radiocarbon Data Base

Abstract

Radiocarbon dates are essential to the understanding of chronological frameworks in many fields, but are particularly important in archaeology. An International Radiocarbon Data Base (IRDB) has been proposed to update and maintain a computerized, centralized, and standardized record of 14 C data, on a global and inter-disciplinary scale, from which researchers may retrieve and utilize valuable data. Since 1985, planning conferences and workshops continue to address the issues of establishing the IRDB. The primary focus of these discussions has been the data-entry format and how to obtain continuing financial support.