A systematic crosschecking of the NBS oxalic acid standard, the ANU Sucrose secondary standard, and the RB oak tree rings grown in 1858 ± 5 and 1890 ± 5 has been performed using the proportional counter technique. Details on the counter gas (methane) purification are given. Corrections of count rates due to changes of barometric pressure and ambient temperature are applied and discussed. Results of measurements are presented and the ratios between mean activities of the NBS oxalic, ANU sucrose and RB oak samples are given.

Along SE coast of Australia a variety of Holocene barriers composed of siliceous sand and shell detritus occur within bedrock-confined embayments. On basis of morphostratigraphy 4 barrier types are recognized: prograded, stationary, receded and episodic transgressive dunes. Several subtypes are also distinguished. Composite bay barriers involving partial eolian reworking of a prograded barrier constitute most complex examples of Holocene depositional sequences on this coast. The present list is a preliminary attempt at defining the age structure of a group of such barriers (excepting receded type). Ages are reported in conventional years bp. Text references to ages and age ranges are environmental effect corrected ages bp* and yr* (as recommended by Stuiver and Polach, 1977), using 450 ± 35 yr as postulated by Gillespie and Polach (in press) in order to relate Australian oceanic environment shells to terrestrial environment wood. δ13C errors, where based on measurement, are always ± 0.2% and are not shown in the text; when based on estimated values (Est) the error is given.

The following list consists of dates for archaeologic samples measured over the period from June 1974 to July 1976. The dates were obtained by liquid scintillation counting of benzene using a Model 3315 Packard Tricarb Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer linked to a Hewlett Packard 2100A computer system for on-line processing of counting data (Hall & Hewson, 1977). The laboratory procedures used were essentially those outlined in previous lists (see, eg, BM-VIII, R, 1976, v 18, p 16).

This list comprises age measurements carried out from May 1977 to July 1978. Nearly all the samples are of prehistoric and archaeologic interest. All samples are from Italian territory.

The dates in this list follow on, approximately chronologically, from Harwell II (R, 1977, v 19, p 400-423) and refer principally to measurements carried out in the period 1975-6. Laboratory techniques have remained essentially unchanged from earlier reports but a full description of the setting-up philosophy and operating procedure of the liquid scintillation counting systems has now been published separately (Otlet and Warchal, 1977).

Most of the 14C measurements reported here were made between October 1977 and October 1978. Equipment, measurement, and treatment of samples are as reported previously (R, 1968, v 10, p 36-37; 1976, v 18, p 290) except for some minor improvements of the electronic equipment.

This list includes most of the measurements made in 1977 and 1978 using the two Packard liquid scintillation spectrometers described in Lyon VII (R, 1978, v 20, p 19). The backgrounds of both spectrometers decreased by about 30% with new photomultipliers, giving 1.9 ± 0.1cpm and 2.4 ± 0.2 cpm, respectively, for 3ml C6H6 (depending on counting vessels). Proportional detectors are only used for very small samples. Counting procedures are described in the text. Dilution ratios indicate the amount of sample versus the total quantity of C6H6 or CO2 introduced in the detectors. No change was made either in chemical treatment or in the calculation method (half-life: 5570 ± 0, one standard deviation, standard 13C correction only for bones).

The following list includes some measurements made during 1975-1978 since our last list (R, 1978, v 20, p 62-67) in the National Radiocarbon Laboratory of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Géologie Appliquée et de Prospection Minière (ENSG) de Nancy.

The following list contains dates of organogenous sediments (peat and sapropel from the Karelian ASSR) made in 1972 to 1977 with the aim of studying the history of the development of peat bogs in the Holocene (Elina, 1969; 1971a,b; Pyavchenko et al, 1976). Samples were collected with Hiller or Instorf samplers. Borings were made in the deepest parts of the peat bogs.

Temple's radiocarbon dating facility is housed in the Department of Geology on the Main Campus. The laboratory was established to support research in late Pleistocene and Holocene Geology, Archaeology, and Anthropology.

Radiocarbon measurements have been continued on a variety of projects and materials. Chemical and counting procedures remain the same as indicated in R, v 20, p 274-282. Dates are calculated using the Libby 14C half-life of 5568 years; errors are reported as one-standard deviation (1σ) based only on statistical counting uncertainties in background, modern standard, and sample activities. All samples for which 13C/12C ratios are available are corrected for isotopic fractionation by normalizing to —25‰. A 400-year reservoir age correction has been applied to marine carbonates.