[Contents][Index]

Archaeological and Environmental Considerations

Where the information concerning the age of a sample is limited to a single radiocarbon date a simple calibration is all that is required. However if there is more information available it seems most sensible to incorporate this into the probability distributions calculated. This is particularly important given that the calibration process itself can often lead to chronological error margins which make answering the archaeological or environmental questions posed difficult (see for example Manning and Weninger 1992).

This section is not intended to explain how to use the program but rather explain the range of information which can be dealt with. Throughout the text key words are included such as (R_Date) which refer to the relevant program commands. The use of these will become clear in the subsequent sections of the manual and can be ignored on a first read through.

Types of Chronological Information

Dating Simulation

Combination of Dates

Stratigraphic Information

Information from Analysis