Radiocarbon Dating and Calibration

This chapter discusses the role of 14C dating in sea-level research and includes a brief historical overview, an outline of the basic principles of 14C dating, and a discussion of the differences between the radiometric approach and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Sources of error in 14C dating, specifically those relevant to sea-level studies, receive considerable attention. This includes uncertainties associated with isotopic fractionation and reservoir effects. The latter are of particular concern, especially in estuarine environments. Finally, 14C calibration and various widely used programs to convert 14C ages into calendar ages are discussed