Calibration of the Radiocarbon Time Scale

Abstract

SEVERAL articles^1–3 have described efforts to reconcile radiocarbon ages with “true ages”. The principle behind these procedures lies in the determination of a radiocarbon age and its comparison with the known age which, in the case of tree rings, is established through dendrochronological studies. Recently a review article by Adams⁴ has emphasized the importance of these studies, and archaeologists are already applying some of the findings to establish the “true age” of specimens dated by radiocarbon in the conventional manner. We are concerned about the hasty application of “correction factors” to radiocarbon ages, particularly in view of certain discrepancies that we have observed in existing data, and we wish to point out these uncertainties before application of the corrections has become too widespread.