calibration
calibration (calibrated radiocarbon age/ calibrated date) [De].When using RADIOCARBON DATES relating to archaeological materials from the last 10 000 years or so it is necessary to standardize or calibrate the laboratory determination (CONVENTIONAL RADIOCARBON AGE) to convert it into calendar years. This is especially important if radiocarbon determinations are to be compared with historically derived calendar dates, or dates determined by other means.
Laboratory determinations are given in radiocarbon years before present (RCYBP or BP), but radiocarbon years are not of equal length because of variations in the level of 14C in the atmosphere in the past. Special corrections for the effects of certain factors that alter the background level of 14C may also be necessary. Calibration is based on measurements of the 14C levels in material of...
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