A human skeleton of phenomenal size was uncovered during the excavation of a prehistoric site located in the city of Shangnan, Shaanxi province, China, in 2006. The skeleton dates to 4240–4100 cal yr BP, corresponding to the Longshan culture (4400–4000 yr ago). The skeletal characteristics point to a young male 16–18 yr old with a height of 193 cm. This is the tallest skeleton ever discovered in prehistoric China, and thus we name him the “Longshan Giant.” The giant appears to be of the Mongoloid race and has many physical characteristics that are similar to those of modern southern Asians. Upon closer examination, 3 drilled holes of 5 cm in diameter were found in the right parietal bone of the skull. No rationale exists yet to explain the presence of these holes.

With the advent of AMS radiocarbon dating of very small samples, a much greater opportunity now exists for research into specialized materials. Investigations of the proteins of bone and teeth for archaeological purposes suggest that much more information might be obtained by appropriate study of individual proteins in these tissues. Although present research seems limited to 14C dating, racemization and dietary selection, conditions of the environment during preservation and some of the physiological events during life are likely to be discernible through further studies.

Samples of bone and teeth from the Middle Paleolithic open-air site of Rozhok I, located on the Gulf of Taganrog, were dated by radiocarbon (14C). We obtained 26 accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates on a large sample of nonhuman bone and teeth recovered by N. D. Praslov during 1961–1962 from 5 of the 6 occupation horizons at Rozhok I. Two rigorous pretreatment methods were applied to the samples: ultra-filtration and XAD resin. The 14C ages from the uppermost two layers (Horizons 1 and 2) are infinite with the exception of one age near the limit of the 14C method. By contrast, the dates from Horizon 3 and the two lowermost layers (Horizons 5 and 6) are all finite ages and some are less than 45,000 BP (uncalibrated). While there is evidence of some post-depositional disturbance, there is no evidence of a stratigraphic reversal of the cultural layers. The simplest explanation for the pattern is that bones and teeth in the lower layers have been contaminated by groundwater containing young carbon. We conclude that Rozhok I probably antedates 50,000 cal BP and is beyond the range of 14C dating.

Our studies on 14C chronology and palynology of Holocene sediments in southern Fujian along the western coast of the Taiwan Straits show that the natural environment has undergone three stages of development during the Holocene. From Early Holocene (ca 10,000–8000 yr ago) to Middle Holocene (8000–2500 yr ago) and then to Late Holocene (2500 yr ago), sediments varied from land-sea transitional to marine and then to terrigenous; vegetation altered from mixed forest to evergreen broad-leaf forest and then steppe; climate fluctuated from temperate to hot and then to warm. The sea-level maximum in the post-glacial period occurred at 5000–6000 yr ago, at 5 to 10m elevation. During the subsequent regression, two stable stages of sea-level dated at >3000 and ca 2000 yr ago. The climatic drying and eolian sand deposit began at 700 yr ago. The results agree with our previous studies in southern Liaoning.

Radiocarbon activity of successive parts of Pleistocene and Holocene ooids and mollusk shells from the Persian Gulf, Kuwait, was measured. The inner part of the ooids showed the lowest activity and the cement between grains the highest. Radiocarbon activities correspond to the general stratigraphy and to the position of the sediments. Radiocarbon ages of Pleistocene sediments seem to be very low due to recrystallization of aragonite. Higher radiocarbon activity of cement indicates that atmospheric carbon dioxide was involved in the subaerial diagenetic process. The radiocarbon age of well-preserved mollusk shells seems to be lower than their allegedly Pleistocene geologic age.

Aeolian deposits are widely distributed in the middle Yangtze River Basin (YRB), central China. The formation of those aeolian deposits (including aeolian sands and loess deposits) represented the deterioration of local environment. Previous geochronological studies have shown that both aeolian sands and loess began to be deposited in the last interglacial (~100 ka). In this study, a total of four and six accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) samples were collected from a sand hill and a loess section, respectively, in the Jiujiang area to refine their chronology. Charcoals extracted from bulk samples were employed for AMS 14C dating. The sand layer at the lower part of the HG-C section is sandwiched by two mud layers dated to 26,670–26,285 and 24,480–24,180 cal BP, respectively. Therefore, we infer that aeolian activities in this region started at ~25 ka BP, which was significantly younger than that of previous studies. Meanwhile, thick loess began to deposit leeward of the sand hills in this region. Based on the AMS14C chronology and provenance tracing, we conclude that the loess was essentially the fine-grained aeolian deposits. Our results suggest that topography and vegetation cover have an important effect on the spatial distribution of aeolian deposits in this region.

The Fragmenta membranea manuscript fragment collection at the National Library of Finland has proved challenging to date using only traditional paleography. Therefore, radiocarbon dates can contribute to the understanding of these fragments by offering a parallel natural scientific timeline for the parchment the manuscripts are written on. In this study, we apply our previously developed method for radiocarbon dating medieval manuscripts made of parchment. In total 35 datings were made from 14 separate assemblages of manuscripts, being the first systematic wide-scale application of radiocarbon dating to a collection of medieval manuscripts in order to improve their chronological proxy. Additionally, due to the fragmentary and sometimes poor condition of the manuscript fragments of Fragmenta membranea analyzed in this study, we used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to evaluate the quality of the collagen and the presence of contaminants in the fragments affecting the radiocarbon dates. We report out radiocarbon dating results and FTIR screenings for each sample and for each manuscript assemblage, and discuss the applicability of our method in further studies of applying radiocarbon dating on objects of cultural historical interest and value. The results indicate an essential role of high-quality samples and multiple measurements to interpret the radiocarbon dating results.

Manuscripts of 14C papers and date lists should follow the recommendations in “Suggestions to Authors of the Reports of the US Geological Survey,” 6th ed, 1978, Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. All copy, including the references, must be typewritten in double space: manuscripts must be submitted in duplicate. Computer print-out sheets may be used in letter-quality printing form. Manuscripts should be checked with meticulous care before they are submitted, for the author, not the editor, is finally responsible for errors other than those made by the printer. Revised manuscripts must be submitted in duplicate along with the original edited manuscript.

The following results represent measurements carried out since our second date list was prepared. The pretreatment of the samples and the production of pure CO2 followed the method described in Finland I.

Manen et al. provide here a reply to the critical comment published by A. J. Ammerman regarding their article “The Neolithic Transition in the Western Mediterranean: a complex and non-linear diffusion process—the radiocarbon record revisited,” published in 2019 in Radiocarbon. They also use this occasion to reaffirm the need to elaborate novel interpretive frameworks that combine both geo-chronological and cultural data.

Stable carbon isotope ratios were measured on the alpha-cellulose in tree rings of a pine tree (Pinus densiflora) from Yeongwol, Korea. We developed an annual-resolution δ13C series (1835–1905) by correcting the measured data for changes in δ13C of air to minimize non-climatic influences. To investigate the climatic signal in the δ13C series, we performed correlation analysis between δ13C and the Cheugugi climate data. The Cheugugi precipitation data were first recorded by King Sejong (1397–1450) of the Joseon Dynasty. However, the longest set of precipitation data available is the one collected in Seoul (1776–1907). Although many studies support the reliability of the Cheugugi data, no previous studies have investigated the potential of the δ13C signal in tree rings as paleoclimate proxy using the Cheugugi data. Recent precipitation trends in Yeongwol are quite similar to that of Seoul, and we found significant correlations between the Cheugugi data and the δ13C series. We suggest further studies to replicate these results and confirm whether comparing δ13C variations in tree rings and Cheugugi data is a useful method of investigating the potential of the δ13C signal as a paleoclimate proxy in or near the Korean peninsula.

The radiocarbon laboratory of the Center of Applied Research and Documentation of Udine (CRAD), became operative early in 1977 and uses a benzene liquid scintillation counting method. Benzene is prepared as outlined by Legers and Tamers (1963), Noakes, Kim, and Akers (1967), Belluomini et al (1978). The procedure of chemical synthesis is detailed in CRAD (1977).

This list includes the measurements carried out from 1977–1978. Procedures of synthesis of benzene, counting method, and performance figures of results were previously described (R, 1982, v 24, p 214–216; CRAD, 1977; Barbina, Calligaris, & Ciuti, 1979). Samples were pretreated according to generally applied methods, depending on type of material and particular archaeologic and geologic features.

The following list summarizes the post-1970 laboratory results of 14C dating of ancient sea-level indicators from the coasts of the Soviet Union. One of the aims of the International Geologic Correlation Programme Project No. 61 “Sea level movements during the last deglacial hemicycle” is the global cataloguing and mapping of ancient sea levels. The laboratory, which acts as the USSR National curator for these age measurements obtains dates sampled from its own expeditions and from other institutions of the country.

GEOTOP is the geochemistry and geochronology research center of the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM). The Radiocarbon Laboratory was established to meet the growing demand for radiocarbon dating in Québec. The laboratory was founded by Claude Hillaire-Marcel. The first measurements were completed in October 1978. The laboratory was managed by Pierre Pagé until May 1985. Serge Occhietti and Pierre Pichet are presently in charge. Technical maintenance is under the direction of Claude Jacob.

We converted to CO2 samples of organic materials, Quaternary carbonate rocks and carbonates extracted from groundwater. We measured 14C radioactivity in a proportional counter with an effective volume of 723ml filled to 0.28MPa. A mechanical box with an inside cylinder of a plastic scintillator, 4cm thick, arranged in anticoincidence provides the shielding. We present a review of radiocarbon ages of Quaternary and archaeological samples.