Weninger, Bernhard ORCID: 0000-0003-2390-6529, Clare, Lee, Joeris, Olaf, Jung, Reinhard and Edinborough, Kevan ORCID: 0000-0002-7668-0749 (2015). Quantum theory of radiocarbon calibration. World Archaeol., 47 (4). S. 543 - 567. ABINGDON: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. ISSN 1470-1375

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Abstract

The calibration of radiocarbon measurements is based on a number of mathematical assumptions that are rarely considered by users of the various available calibration programs. As C-14 ages take on mathematical properties best known from quantum physics, a quantum theoretical approach provides a useful basis to evaluate the reliability of processes of calibration and Bayesian modelling of radiocarbon datasets. We undertake such an evaluation here through a consideration of the mathematics of calibration, the normalization process, and through an archaeological case study. We demonstrate that the normalization function deemed necessary for C-14 histogram shape-correction is identical to the default prior widely used in Bayesian calibration. We highlight flaws in default Bayesian calibration algorithms which may affect archaeological studies that are overly reliant on high calibration precision, especially when based on relatively small (N<100) sample sizes. The observed differences between algorithms have consequences for radiocarbon models that claim sub-generational (similar to 25-30 calendar years) precision.

Item Type: Journal Article
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCIDORCID Put Code
Weninger, BernhardUNSPECIFIEDorcid.org/0000-0003-2390-6529UNSPECIFIED
Clare, LeeUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Joeris, OlafUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Jung, ReinhardUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Edinborough, KevanUNSPECIFIEDorcid.org/0000-0002-7668-0749UNSPECIFIED
URN: urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-396561
DOI: 10.1080/00438243.2015.1064022
Journal or Publication Title: World Archaeol.
Volume: 47
Number: 4
Page Range: S. 543 - 567
Date: 2015
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Place of Publication: ABINGDON
ISSN: 1470-1375
Language: English
Faculty: Unspecified
Divisions: Unspecified
Subjects: no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:
KeywordsLanguage
C-14 HISTOGRAMS; DATES; CURVESMultiple languages
ArchaeologyMultiple languages
URI: http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/39656

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