Radiocarbon Dating

Preface Acknowledgments 1. Elements of the Radiocarbon Method 1.1 Basic Principles 1.2 General Assumptions 1.3 Conventions 1.4 Production and Distribution of Natural Radiocarbon 1.5 Decay of Radiocarbon 1.6 Major Bibliographic Sources 2. Definition of Major Anomalies 2.1 General Considerations 2.2 Secular Variation Effects 2.3 Reservoir Effects 2.4 Contamination and Fractionation Effects 2.5 Recent 14C Variations 3. Samples and Sample Pretreatment 3.1 General Perspective 3.2 Sample Pretreatment Strategies 3.3 Sample Materials 3.4 Sample Size, Sample Collection, and Data Considerations 4. Measurement Techniques 4.1 Nature of Radioactivity 4.2 Methods of Measurement 4.3 Measurement of Natural Radiocarbon 4.4 Decay Counting Systems 4.5 Direct Counting Systems 4.6 Radiocarbon Age Calculations 4.7 Statistical Constraints 5. Evaluation of Radiocarbon Data 5.1 General Principles 5.2 Sample Provenance Factors 5.3 Sample Composition Factors 5.4 Statistical and Experimental Factors 5.5 Systemic Factors 5.6 Evaluating Radiocarbon Age Estimates 5.7 Implications of Radiocarbon Dating in Archaeological Studies 6. Radiocarbon Dating in Historical Perspective 6.1 Discovery of Radiocarbon 6.2 Libby at Chicago 6.3 Libby among the Archaeologists 6.4 The Critical Period 6.5 Knowns and Unknowns 6.6 Radiocarbon Dating Comes of Age References Illustration Credits Index