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 of 14 C age calibration. The single-year data form the basis of a detailed 14 C 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 INTCAL98 14 C age curve (Stuiver et al. 1998). Atmospheric 14 C ages can be transformed into 14 C ages of the global ocean using a carbon reservoir model. INTCAL98 14 C ages, used for these calculations, yield global ocean 14 C ages differing slightly from previously published ones (Stuiver and Braziunas 1993b). We include discussions of offsets, error multipliers, regional 14 C age differences and marine 14 C age response to oceanic and atmospheric forcing.