Assessing the Reliability of a Small-Scale Legacy Radiocarbon Dataset Using Chronometric Transparency Approaches: Torres Strait Radiocarbon Database

Abstract

A new quality assurance framework was developed to assess the reliability of 14C ages from a small-scale legacy dataset from archaeological sites across the Torres Strait (northeastern Australia). Chronometric transparency principles were applied across three stages of data analysis, comprising of a basic, immediate, and advanced assessment of the 14C ages and associated metadata. Reliability ratings (1*, 2*, 3*, and 4*) were assigned to represent data confidence in individual radiocarbon ages. Results demonstrate the utility of radiocarbon ages of high, medium, and low reliability in creating chronological reconstructions. We determine that of the 343 14C ages, 73% were awarded a reliability rating of 3* or above.

Keywords

• chronometric transparency
• quality assurance
• torres strait
• radiocarbon ages
• holocene
• island and coastal archaeology