A calibration is presented for conventional radiocarbon ages ranging from 10 to 7240 years BP and thus covering a calendric range of 8000 years from 6050 BC to AD 1950. Distinctive features of this calibration include 1) an improved data set consisting of 1154 radiocarbon measurements on samples of known age, 2) an extended range over which radiocarbon ages may be calibrated (an additional 530 years), 3) separate 95% confidence intervals (in tabular from) for six different radiocarbon uncertainties (20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300 years), and 4) an estimate of the non-Poisson errors related to radiocarbon determinations, including an estimate of the systematic errors between laboratories.

The following list consists of dates for archaeologic samples mostly measured from July 1976 to December 1977. The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using the laboratory procedures outlined in previous lists (see, eg, BM-VIII, R, 1976, v 18, p 16). Dates are expressed in radiocarbon years relative to ad 1950 based on the Libby half-life for 14C of 5570 yr, and are corrected for isotopic fractionation (δ13C values are relative to PDB). No corrections have been made for natural 14C variations (although in some instances approximate calibrated dates taken from the tables of R M Clark (1975) have been given in the comments where this aids interpretation of results). The modern reference standard is NBS oxalic acid (SRM 4990). Errors quoted with the dates are based on counting statistics alone and are equivalent to ± 1 standard deviation (± 1σ), Dates in this and the next list (BM-XIV) reported to submitters or published elsewhere before the introduction of the new guidelines for rounding of computed figures have deliberately been left unrounded. From BM-XV onwards all BM dates will be rounded before publication in conformity with the recently recommended procedures (R, 1977, v 19, p 362). Descriptions, comments, and references to publications are based on information supplied by submitters.

The following list contains the measurements of archaeologic samples made during 1978 and 1979 using carbon-dioxide-filled proportional counters. Most of the samples were dated with counter No. 3 (L3) filled to 1 or 2 atm pressure (Mościcki and Zastawny, 1977). Our counter No. 1 (L1) previously described (Mościcki and Zastawny, 1976) has been remounted and is now operating at 2 atm pressure of carbon dioxide. Samples measured with this counter have date numbers starting with Gd-1000. Parameters of proportional counters are listed in Table 1. Our transistorized electronics is being gradually replaced by more compact integrated-circuit electronics in CAMAC system (Bluszcz and Walanus, 1980). Counts from proportional counter and guard counters are recorded in 5 channels and punched every 100 minutes. Typical measurement of any sample, including background and oxalic acid samples, consists of a series of 20 to 25 partial measurements. Partial results obtained in such series are analyzed on ODRA 1325 computer at the Computing Centre of the Silesian Technical University according to code C14C written in ALGOL (Pazdur and Walanus, 1979). Age calculations are based on contemporary value equal to 0.95 of the activity of NBS oxalic acid standard and on the Libby value for the half-life of radiocarbon. Ages are reported as conventional radiocarbon dates in years before ad 1950. Corrections for isotopic fractionation in nature are made only for some samples with indicated values of δ13C Errors quoted (±1σ) include estimated overall standard deviations of count rates of the unknown sample, contemporary standard, and background (Pazdur and Walanus, 1979).

The following list sums up the results of radiocarbon dating of geologic samples obtained mostly during 1978 and 1979. Measurements have continued with the same proportional counters, pretreatment procedures, carbon dioxide purification, measurement and calculation as described previously (Pazdur et al, 1982). Ages are reported as conventional radiocarbon dates in years before ad 1950. No corrections for 13C/12C ratio were made for samples reported in this date list. Infinite dates are based on a 2-sigma criterion (Pazdur and Walanus, 1979). Sample descriptions and comments are based on information provided by the submitters.

Most of the 14C measurements reported here were made between October 1980 and October 1981. Equipment, measurement, and treatment of samples are as reported previously (R, 1968, v 10, p 36–37; 1976, v 18, p 290; 1980, v 22, p 1045).

The radiocarbon laboratory of the Center of Applied Research and Documentation of Udine (CRAD), became operative early in 1977 and uses a benzene liquid scintillation counting method. Benzene is prepared as outlined by Legers and Tamers (1963), Noakes, Kim, and Akers (1967), Belluomini et al (1978). The procedure of chemical synthesis is detailed in CRAD (1977).

The Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory of The Granada University was established to support the work of archaeologists and geologists. The method of dating is benzene synthesis and liquid scintillation counting developed by a number of investigators (Polach and Stipp, 1967; Tamers, 1969; Pietig and Scharpenseel, 1966) with sample combustion in pure oxygen (Switsur, 1974).

Measurements have continued with the same proportional counter system, pretreatment procedure, methane preparation and measurement, and calculation, as described previously (R, 1970, v 12, p 298–318). Uncertainties quoted are single standard deviations originating from standard, sample, and background counting rates. No 13C/12C ratios were measured. Sample descriptions have been prepared in cooperation with submitters.