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Development of the Radiocarbon Calibration Program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Christopher Bronk Ramsey*
Affiliation:
Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, 6 Keble Road, Oxford OX2 6JB, UK. Email: christopher.ramsey@archaeology-research.oxford.ac.uk.
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Abstract

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This paper highlights some of the main developments to the radiocarbon calibration program, OxCal. In addition to many cosmetic changes, the latest version of OxCal uses some different algorithms for the treatment of multiple phases. The theoretical framework behind these is discussed and some model calculations demonstrated. Significant changes have also been made to the sampling algorithms used which improve the convergence of the Bayesian analysis. The convergence itself is also reported in a more comprehensive way so that problems can be traced to specific parts of the model. The use of convergence data, and other techniques for testing the implications of particular models, are described.

Type
II. Getting More from the Data
Copyright
Copyright © The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona 

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