Methodological aspects about the use of the radicarbon dating in historical time sites

Abstract

In this paper basic concepts concerning radiocarbon dating and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) technique, and specifically the Centre for Isotopic Research on Cultural and Environmental heritage (CIRCE Laboratory) AMS facility, will be given. Problem of contaminations in radiocarbon AMS measurements will be introduced, and the sample preparation laboratory and the graphitisation lines that are used at the CIRCE Laboratory will be presented. Moreover problems of sampling and interpretation of the archaeological radiocarbon dates will be treated in consideration of the nature of interdisciplinary research and of the impact of radiocarbon dating on archaeology.

Keywords

• Mass Spectrometry
• Isotopes
• Dating