Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T16:43:15.202Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

How reliable are radiocarbon laboratories? A report on the Fourth International Radiocarbon Inter-comparison (FIRI) (1998–2001)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Elisabetta Boaretto
Affiliation:
Weizmann Institute, Israel
Charlotte Bryant
Affiliation:
NERC Radiocarbon Laboratory, Scotland
Israel Carmi
Affiliation:
Weizmann Institute, Israel
Gordon Cook
Affiliation:
SUERC, Scotland
Steinar Gulliksen
Affiliation:
NUST, Norway
Doug Harkness
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Scotland
Jan Heinemeier
Affiliation:
University of Aarhus, Denmark
John McClure
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Scotland
Edward McGee
Affiliation:
University College Dublin, Eire
Philip Naysmith
Affiliation:
SUERC, Scotland
Goran Possnert
Affiliation:
University of Uppsala, Sweden
Marian Scott*
Affiliation:
University of Glasgow, Scotland
Hans van der Plicht
Affiliation:
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Mark van Strydonck
Affiliation:
KIK, Belgium

Abstract

Radiocarbon laboratories undertake rigorous programmes of internal quality control (QC) and overall quality assurance (QA). In a laboratory “inter-comparison” samples of the same age are dated at different laboratories using a range of techniques and the results are then compared. The authors summarise the results of the fourth of these scientific audits.

Type
Method
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bryant, C, Carmi, I., Cook, G., Gulliksen, S., Harkness, D., Heinemeier, J., McGee, E., Naysmith, P., Possnert, G., Scott, M., van der Plicht, J. & van Strydonck, M.. 2002. Sample requirements and design of a inter-laboratory trial for Radiocarbon laboratories. NIMB 172: 355359.Google Scholar
Gulliksen, S & Scott, E. M.. 1995. TIRI report, Radiocarbon 37(2): 820821.Google Scholar
ISG, 1982. An inter-laboratory comparison of radiocarbon measurements in tree-rings. Nature 198: 619623.Google Scholar
Long, A & Kalin, R.. 1990. A suggested quality assurance protocol for Radiocarbon dating laboratories. Radiocarbon, 32(3): 329335 Google Scholar
Polach, H. 1989. 14C Care. Radiocarbon, 31(3): 422431.Google Scholar
Rozanski, K, Stichler, W., Gonfiantini, R., Scott, E. M., Beukens, R. P., Kromer, B. & Van der Plicht, J.. 1992. The IAEA 14C intercomparison exercise 1990. Radiocarbon 34(3): 506519.Google Scholar
Scott, E M, Aitchison, T. C., Harkness, D. D., Cook, G. T. & Baxter, M. S.. 1990. An overview of all three stages of the international radiocarbon intercomparison. Radiocarbon 32(3): 309319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar