Seeking the Holy Grail: Robust chronologies from archaeology and radiocarbon dating combined

Eszter Banffy; Alex Bayliss; Anthony Denaire; Bisserka Gaydarska; Daniela Hofmann; Philippe Lefranc; Janos Jakucs; Miroslav Marić; Krisztian Oross; Nenad Tasić; Alasdair Whittle

doi:10.4312/dp.45.10

Authors

Eszter Banffy Römisch-Germanische Kommission, Frankfurt am Main
Alex Bayliss University of Stirling, Historic England, London, UK, and Biological and Environmental Sciences
Anthony Denaire University of Burgundy, Department of Archaeology and Art History
Bisserka Gaydarska Cardiff University, Department of Archaeology and Conservation
Daniela Hofmann Bergen University, Department of Archaeology
Philippe Lefranc University of Strasbourg, Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives
Janos Jakucs Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Archaeology, Research Centre for the Humanities
Miroslav Marić Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, The Institute for Balkan Studies
Krisztian Oross Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Archaeology, Research Centre for the Humanities
Nenad Tasić Belgrade University, Faculty of Philosophy
Alasdair Whittle Cardiff University, Department of Archaeology and Conservation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.45.10

Keywords:

Radiocarbon dating; bone samples; laboratory methods; Bayesian chronological modelling; earliest LBK; Vinča; Ražište; Hinkelstein

Abstract

The strengths of formal Bayesian chronological modelling are restated, combining as it does knowledge of the archaeology with the radiocarbon dating of carefully chosen samples of known taphonomy in association with diagnostic material culture. The risks of dating bone samples are reviewed, along with a brief history of the development of approaches to the radiocarbon dating of bone. In reply to Strien (2017), selected topics concerned with the emergence and aftermath of the LBK are discussed, as well as the early Vinča, Ražište and Hinkelstein sequences. The need for rigour in an approach which combines archaeology and radiocarbon dating is underlined.