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

Bente Philippsen

doi:10.4312/dp.42.10

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

Authors

Bente Philippsen Aarhus AMS Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Denmark. Museum Lolland-Falster, Rødbyhavn, Denmark.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.42.10

Keywords:

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

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.

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Author Biography

Bente Philippsen, Aarhus AMS Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Denmark. Museum Lolland-Falster, Rødbyhavn, Denmark.

Postdoc, Ph.D.
Physicist and archaeologist.

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Published

17. 12. 2015

Issue

Vol. 42 (2015)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Philippsen, B. (2015). Hard water and old food. The freshwater reservoir effect in radiocarbon dating of food residues on pottery. Documenta Praehistorica, 42, 159–170. https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.42.10