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Radiocarbon Dating as a Probabilistic Technique: The Childers Site and Late Woodland Occupation in the Ohio Valley

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Michael J. Shott
Michael J. Shott*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0513
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Abstract

Like any scientific technique, radiocarbon dating has limitations, and its results cannot be interpreted uncritically. The archaeological record of Childers, a Late Woodland site in eastern North America, and inferences concerning its occupational history are evaluated here against radiocarbon dates from the site. The record suggests a single, relatively brief, occupation, but radiocarbon-dating results suggest either a much longer continuous occupation or a long series of shorter ones. The apparent conflict between the archaeological record and radiocarbon results is resolved by considering context and integrity of radiocarbon samples, as well as the probabilistic character of the radiocarbon method itself. Considerable dispersion in dating results can occur even in relatively brief occupations, casting doubt on the uncritical interpretation of raw radiocarbon results. Childers's occupational history and chronological placement have important implications for regional culture process during the early Late Woodland interval, and suggest a time lag in the acceptance of cultural innovations.

Resumen

Resumen

Como todas las técnicas científtcas, la datación radiocarbónica posee limitaciones y sus resultados no pueden ser interpretados en forma acrítica. Los datos arqueológicos de Childers, un sitio Woodland Tardío ubicado en el este de Norteamérica, así como inferencias referentes a su historia ocupacional son aquí evaluados en relación a la datación radiocarbónica del sitio. El registro sugiere una sola ocupación relativamente breve, mientras que los resultados del radiocarbono indican una ocupación continua mucho más prolongada, o una larga serie de ocupaciones breves. El aparente conflicto entre el registro arqueológico y los resultados del radiocarbono se resuelve al considerar el contexto y la integridad de las muestras radiocarbonicas, asi como el carácter probabilistico del método del radiocarbono. Una considerable dispersión de los resultados del fechado puede ocurrir inclusive en ocupaciones relativamente breves, arrojando dudas sobre la interpretación acrítica de los resultados radiocarbónicos. La historia ocupacional y ubicación cronológica de Childers poseen importantes implicaciones para el proceso cultural regional durante la primera parte del Woodland Tardío, sugiriendo una tardanza en la recepción de innovaciones culturales.

Type
Articles
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 57 , Issue 2 , April 1992 , pp. 202 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1992

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