High-Precision Radiocarbon Age Calibration for Terrestrial and Marine Samples

Abstract

Single-year and decadal radiocarbon tree-ring ages are tabulated and discussed in terms of14C age calibration. The single-year data form the basis of a detailed14C age calibration curve for the cal ad 1510–1954 interval (“cal” denotes calibrated). The Seattle decadal data set (back to 11,617 cal BP, with 0 BP = ad 1950) is a component of the integrated decadal INTCAL9814C age curve (Stuiveret al.1998). Atmospheric14C ages can be transformed into14C ages of the global ocean using a carbon reservoir model. INTCAL9814C ages, used for these calculations, yield global ocean14C ages differing slightly from previously published ones (Stuiver and Braziunas 1993b). We include discussions of offsets, error multipliers, regional14C age differences and marine14C age response to oceanic and atmospheric forcing.