Radiocarbon, the Calibration Curve and Scythian Chronology

Abstract

Interpretation of Radiocarbon dates can be rather complex. For example, variations in the natural 14C content cause the 14C clock rate to vary throughout time, causing the need for calibration of the 14C timescale. For the Scythian epoch, there is a problematic range in the 14C calibration curve. Radiocarbon dates of around 2450 BP always calibrate to ca. 800- 400 BC, no matter the measurement precision. In order to establish reliable chronologies, both state-of-the-art scientific and archaeological dating methods need to be employed. This includes high precision 14C dating and AMS, enabling dating of small samples such as from museum collections or other precious materials.