Critical assessment of radiocarbon dating

Abstract

In applying physicochemical techniques of analysis to archaeological problems, the difficulties arise from two main sources: the equipment and the customers. On the one hand there is a con­tinuing need to keep abreast of new developments in techniques of examination, and on the other hand the problem of communication and collaboration with specialists in disciplines which have little in common with physics or chemistry. Throughout the years, the Research Laboratory of the British Museum has developed some expertise in both these fields, but nevertheless radiocarbon dating taxed its resources to the limit. As a problem in analysis it is formidable—the task involves the measurement of levels of concentration many orders of magnitude lower than the most sensitive chemical techniques. As a problem in communication there are also formidable difficulties involving concepts which do not arise in connexion with the application of other techniques of examination. Some of these difficulties have now dis­appeared with the introduction of improved techniques, others are inherent in the method and must be endured, and others, despite all the efforts made to avoid them, arise out of interdisciplinary misunderstandings. It would seem therefore to be an appropriate time to take a critical look at radiocarbon dating in terms of its effectiveness as a tool for archaeological investigations. In doing so I shall be speaking from the viewpoint of a laboratory which uses the technique along with many others almost exclusively in the service of archaeology. The main criticisms and difficulties which one encounters in the operation of a dating labora­tory are concerned with accuracy and reliability, the interpretation of results and the limited facilities available . This last of course is related to the high cost of the operation.