Carbon-14 wiggle-match dating of peat deposits: advantages and limitations

Carbon-14 wiggle-match dating (WMD) of peat deposits uses the non-linear relationship between C-14 age and calendar age to match the shape of a series of closely spaced peat C-14 dates with the C-14 calibration curve. The method of WMD is discussed, and its advantages and limitations are compared with calibration of individual dates. A numerical approach to WMD is introduced that makes it possible to assess the precision of WMD chronologies. During several intervals of the Holocene, the C-14 calibration curve shows less pronounced fluctuations. We assess whether wiggle-matching is also a feasible strategy for these parts of the C-14 calibration curve. High-precision chronologies, Such as obtainable with WMD, are needed for studies of rapid climate changes and their possible causes during the Holocene. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd