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Wiggle-Match Dating of Tree-Ring Sequences

2004; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 46; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0033822200035967

1945-5755

Mariagrazia Galimberti, Christopher Bronk Ramsey, Sturt W. Manning,

Geology and Paleoclimatology Research

Given the non-monotonic form of the radiocarbon calibration curve, the precision of single 14 C dates on the calendar timescale will always be limited. One way around this limitation is through comparison of time-series, which should exhibit the same irregular patterning as the calibration curve. This approach can be employed most directly in the case of wood samples with many years growth present (but not able to be dated by dendrochronology), where the tree-ring series of unknown date can be compared against the similarly constructed 14 C calibration curve built from known-age wood. This process of curve-fitting has come to be called “wiggle-matching.” In this paper, we look at the requirements for getting good precision by this method: sequence length, sampling frequency, and measurement precision. We also look at 3 case studies: one a piece of wood which has been independently dendrochronologically dated, and two others of unknown age relating to archaeological activity at Silchester, UK (Roman) and Miletos, Anatolia (relating to the volcanic eruption at Thera).