THE NEED FOR A CALIBRATED RADIOCARBON CHRONOLOGY OF NEAR-EASTERN ARCHAEOLOGY

Progress in radiocarbon dating and calibration accuracy should lead to the development of a calibrated radiocarbon chronology of Near Eastern archaeology, particulary for historical times. The lack of such an independent and impartial chronology is a major constraint, not only in archaeological studies, but also for interdisciplinary research involving the history of man, landscape and climate in the Near East and adjacent regions.