Hard water and old food. The freshwater reservoir effect in radiocarbon dating of food residues on pottery

Abstract

This paper discusses the problem of the freshwater reservoir effect in the radiocarbon dating of different sample materials, in particular food crusts on pottery. Charred food residue can be used to directly date of the use of the pottery. However, this material is highly complex, which can lead to various dating errors.

Keywords

• radiocarbon dating
• freshwater reservoir effect
• hardwater effect
• pottery
• food crusts
• food residues