Improving the 14C dating of south-west Scottish wetland sites
This thesis discusses the adaptation of the wiggle-match dating technique and Bayesian chronological models to the practicalities of dating timbers from Iron Age Scottish wetland sites, with a focus on the area between the ïŹrths of the rivers Clyde and Solway. Wiggle-match dating technique relies on taking measurements from a sequence with an estimated, or known deposition rate, such as timbers, and ïŹtting the resultant time series to an established calibration curve. Bayesian modelling entails combining various forms of information about the material dated to obtain a more comprehensive chronological understanding. These techniques are relevant to Iron Age wetland settlement in Scotland due to the lack of other methods that could produce high-precision dates on a routine basis; too few timbers from Scottish wetlands produce absolute dendrochronological dates and ordinary radiocarbon calibrations tend to have low precision during the period 750-200 BC, which covers the formative stages of both the Scottish Iron Age and wetland settlement tradition. EïŹective use of the wiggle-match dating technique requires attention to aspects of technique, its practical implementation and suitable research design. As
Jacobsson, Piotr
CC Archaeology
Improving the 14C dating of south-west Scottish wetland sites. This thesis discusses the adaptation of the wiggle-match dating technique and Bayesian chronological models to the practicalities of dating timbers from Iron Age Scottish wetland sites, with a focus on the area between the ïŹrths of the rivers Clyde and Solway. Wiggle-match dating technique relies on taking measurements from a sequence with an estimated, or known deposition rate, such as timbers, and ïŹtting the resultant time series to an established calibration curve. Bayesian modelling entails combining various forms of information about the material dated to obtain a more comprehensive chronological understanding. These techniques are relevant to Iron Age wetland settlement in Scotland due to the lack of other methods that could produce high-precision dates on a routine basis; too few timbers from Scottish wetlands produce absolute dendrochronological dates and ordinary radiocarbon calibrations tend to have low precision during the period 750-200 BC, which covers the formative stages of both the Scottish Iron Age and wetland settlement tradition. EïŹective use of the wiggle-match dating technique requires attention to aspects of technique, its practical implementation and suitable research design. As
improving date south_west scottish wetland site discus adaptation match dating technique bayesian chronological model practicality date timber iron_age scottish wetland site focus area river match dating technique relies take measurement sequence estimate know deposition rate timber resultant time_series establish calibration curve bayesian modelling entail combine various_form information material_date obtain comprehensive chronological understanding technique relevant iron_age wetland settlement scotland due_lack method could_produce high precision date routine basis scottish produce absolute ordinary radiocarbon tend low precision period cover formative stage scottish_iron_age wetland settlement tradition use match dating technique require attention aspect technique practical implementation suitable design