To obtain scientific data regarding the chronology of archaeological structures, lime mortar radiocarbon dating has often demonstrated to be a decisive method. However, knowing the specific chemical-mineralogical characteristics of mortars can help when preparing samples or interpreting results. Among other issues, the dating of magnesian mortars can be particularly difficult because of the combined slaking, setting and hardening reactions of the calcium and magnesium phases, typical of these mortars. The formation of numerous mineralogical phases depending on reaction conditions adds further complexity to the dating method, which deserves to be studied with further detail. During the project “Mortar technology and construction history at Müstair Monastery” the first experiments in this regard had yielded encouraging results. An additional 4 samples from buildings with controversial chronology, thought to belong approximately to the 9th, 12th, and 15th centuries, were selected, prepared and radiocarbon dated. The data obtained were discussed by integrating preliminary petrographic characterization analyses of the mortars with archaeological information and excavation records. The results opened up new questions about the chronology of the Monastery, clarified the dating of some buildings and provided a better understanding of the potential and limitations of dating dolomitic mortars coming from archaeological context.

The intensity of changes in the population dynamics of the Early Neolithic (ca. 6250–5300 cal BC) communities in the Central Balkans was addressed by estimating the growth rate values. The Bayesian approach (Crema and Shoda 2021) of estimating intrinsic growth rates by fitting different models of population growth was applied to radiocarbon dates from the Early Neolithic sites in Serbia. We explored two possible episodes of population growth based on the results of the population dynamics reconstruction using the summed calibrated radiocarbon probability distributions (SPD) method. The results have shown that, within the first episode of growth, the intrinsic growth rate mean values are higher than the estimated continental average (between 1% and 2%). The results indicate a sudden and fast rise in population size, possibly due to the influx of the new population settling in the region at the beginning of the Neolithic. Lower values for the second episode could indicate more gradual population growth due to the mechanisms associated with the Neolithic Demographic Transition and the rise in fertility.

Rýzmburk Castle is one of the largest and most important medieval castles in Bohemia, documented since 1250 AD. Its North tower is assumed to be built in 1260–1300 AD. To test this assumption, the surface layers of mortar were inspected for the presence of charcoals suitable for radiocarbon dating, and 10 charcoals were found. The charcoals probably originated from wood used for lime burning. The results of radiocarbon dating using accelerator mass spectrometry agree with the historical estimation. Single post-1287 sample indicates that the building date might be refined to 1287–1300 AD.

Vast burial fields, some with hundreds of burials, categorize the southern Levant’s Intermediate Bronze Age period (IBA). This phenomenon contrasts with a limited number of burials found from the preceding Early Bronze III period. This paper presents the first radiocarbon dating research of sampled bones from shaft tombs from five IBA burial sites across Israel: Yehud, Jebel Qaaqir, Sheikh-Danon, Hazorea, and Kefar-Veradim. Prescreening methods, including Fourier transform infrared analysis, were applied to identify best-preserved collagen in archaeological bones for radiocarbon dating. Overall, the measured date ranges cover the IBA timeline, supporting the observation that the IBA signature shaft tombs are a fundamental tradition of the IBA culture, at least in Israel. A single IBA shaft tomb at Jebel Qaaqir which contained remains of multiple humans, supplied different dates for various people, spanning over a few hundred years. These results suggest a tribal or family-oriented IBA community with a long-lasting tradition reflected in centuries of collective burial practices.

This list begins a program of publishing our large backlog of unpublished dates. The dates listed here are not a specific block of dates but simply those ready for publication. In many cases we have received comments from submitters, to whom we are grateful. Where no comment is included, none was received.

The automatic β-counting system plays a significant role in obtaining high-level reproducibility and reliability in conventional radiocarbon dating. I review here the results achieved by using the “Fully Automatic Radiocarbon Dating System” developed by Omoto (1982). Since setting up the system in 1981, I was able not only to save operator time in β counting, but also to obtain accurate dates with only minimal uncertainties. Another positive result was the introduction of the automatic voltage correction program, which produced excellent results for counting sample materials over a long period.

The results described herein are measurements performed in 1961. Sample preparation and conversion into acetylene have been described (Wendt, Schneekloth and Budde, 1962). In calculating errors we did not follow the procedure used in our Date List I, where only the standard deviations of counting rates were used. The errors attached to the dates listed below include systematic errors due to sample preparation and small changes in the counting characteristics of sample, background, and standard counting gas.

C14 measurements of archaeologic and geochemical samples using sample synthesized benzene in a Beckman LS-100 liquid scintillation spectrometer are reported. Rather high background counting rates of ca. 8 to 9 cpm and counting efficiency of ca. 45 to 48% for 4 cc counting vial of potassium free glass are observed. The counting vial (total volume of 10 cc) is supported by an aluminum bar for geometry control. Background and standard counting rates measured during the past 17 months are listed in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. Slight seasonal variations were observed.

This article presents new radiocarbon ages for the lavas, pyroclastic flow, and lahar deposits that originated from the Fugendake and Mayuyama volcanoes of the Younger Unzen Volcano, SW Japan. Nine charcoal samples were collected from the lavas and pyroclastic flow deposits, and 17 soil samples from the underlying volcanic-related products. This data set, together with previously published ages (thermoluminescence, K-Ar, fission track, and 14C), yielded new information about the timing of Late Pleistocene eruptions and an improved understanding of the evolution of the Fugendake and Mayuyama volcanoes. Fugendake Volcano started to build within the scar of Myokendake around 29 cal ka BP, and its eruption products spread over the flank of Myokendake. The remarkable eruptions of Fugendake Volcano included the lava and pyroclastic flow deposits around 22, 17, 12, and 4.5 cal ka BP. Subsequent historical eruptions occurred in AD 1663, 1792, and 1991–1995. Developed on the eastern extension of Fugendake Volcano, Mayuyama Volcano was active during the building stage of Fugendake at 4.5 cal ka BP. This study also identified a pumice eruption at ∼10 ka and 2 volcanic-related lahar deposits around 1.6 and 0.7 ka, which need to be addressed in future research.

Kau Bay Halmahera, Indonesia is a small marine basin that is separated from the adjacent SW Pacific Ocean by a shallow sill, 40m deep. Radiocarbon dating on piston cores in combination with a study on microfossils demonstrate that Kau Bay was a freshwater lake in Weichselian times. At 10,000 BP, the Bay became reconnected with the open ocean. It sill depth did not change in the intervening years, sea level at 10,000 BP stood 40m below the present level.

The study of this core was undertaken in cooperation with James Kennett. The purpose was to establish the chronology of the Mississippi River melt water record (see Figs 7,8; Table 6).

The following list of dates is compiled from samples prepared since publication of our last date list (R, 1974, v 16, p 131–141). The counting equipment and operating procedures are the same. Ages are quoted with a 1σ counting error which includes statistical variation of the sample count as well as for background and standard, using ad 1950 as the reference year and 95% NBS oxalic acid for 14C dating as the standard. The half-life value used is 5570 years.

This note describes point and interval estimation of a settlement time from a collection of radiocarbon dates. An application concerning the settlement time of New Zealand is presented.

This list reports measurements made on archaeologic and geologic samples by our laboratory from June 1982 to December 1983. Results of measurements made during that period which lack review by submitters will be reported in a subsequent date list. Sample preparation techniques and benzene synthesis remain as described previously (R, 1982, v 24, p 344–351). For low organic samples, such as sediments, we now use a combustion tube assembly. These samples are burned under oxygen flow in a quartz tube. To absorb sulfur and break up nitrous compounds, we pass combustion gases through a 50% mixture of MnO2 and CuO wire heated to ca 500°C. The gas is then bubbled through a distilled water and KMnO4 solution to remove chlorides before being introduced into our standard dry ice and CO2 traps.

Air pollution in Mexico City, which has more than 22 million inhabitants, continues to be one of the main environmental issues. Aerosol samples (PM10) collected in Mexico City and the city of Cuernavaca (a clean reference site) have been characterized using different techniques. This multifaceted approach addresses the source apportionment of the carbonaceous matter in PM10, as well as the airborne elements and ions. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon analysis of total carbon, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and ion chromatography were performed on aerosols collected at three sites in Mexico City and one site in Cuernavaca, during 2 months of the cold-dry season (November–December) in 2012. New results obtained for Mexico City are compared with previous reports. Average levels of PM10 were higher in Mexico City sites (43.3–60.8 μg/m3) than in Cuernavaca (32.2 μg/m3). According to the material balance, PM10 collected in Mexico City had a lower contribution of crustal material (31.2–36.8%) than Cuernavaca (46.9%). Average contributions of particulate carbonaceous matter to PM10 were similar in both cities, but much higher contributions of mineral salts, trace elements, and ions were observed in Mexico City in comparison to Cuernavaca. Total organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) contents were higher in aerosols from Mexico City than those from Cuernavaca. The temporal variation results showed that within all locations studied the OC concentration was high compared to the EC. Results from a theoretical calculation of fossil carbon (FC) and biogenic carbon (BC) concentrations showed that FC and BC levels depend on the site: at Mexico City sites, FC was equal or higher than BC. At Cuernavaca, BC was always higher than FC.

Nine excavation seasons at Ossimo Anvòia in the Val Camonica (Central Alps, Italy) have brought to light a Copper Age ceremonial area with symbolic monoliths (statue menhirs) in their original position. Hundreds of artifacts and ecofacts indicate ideological activity during the 3rd millennium BC. A large pit (F18) was discovered that was unusual for its great size and the abundance of well-preserved charcoal. The pit housed a fallen monolith (M9) showing complicated reshaping. A detailed spatial study based on 6 radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements combined with charcoal analysis has untangled key information to define the history of feature F18-M9. 14C data show that the burning event occurred most probably in the 4th century AD, not in prehistory. We infer a unique episode of “reconsecration” during the very latest phases of pagan cult activity in the Val Camonica. Further studies are needed to resolve the relationships with other features of the site. In addition, charcoal analysis has produced paleobotanical information for a scarcely known period in the environmental history of the area. A sparse forest with Picea abies, Larix decidua, and Fagus sylvatica existed, associated with areas likely devoted to grazing. There is a remarkable absence of chestnut.

I wish to point out some statistical errors in the uncertainty calculations for the radiocarbon age of the Vinland Map (Donahue et al. 2002). First, the authors state that the 14C measurements of samples with chemical treatments B, C, D, and E “… result in consistent radiocarbon ages”, and that “… two (of these analyses) are 1.5 sigma, and the others are one sigma or less, from the weighted average.” In fact, the overall scatter of the data show that it is improbable that these data are statistically coherent, largely because analysis J21C lies 2.1 sigma from the weighted mean.

This list contains the results of 14C determinations obtained at the laboratory in 1985. ∗δ13C values are estimated (Stuiver & Polach, 1977).