This page deals with the communication of results after samples submission. If you wish to look up results from previous projects please see our databases.
After quality assurance tests, the results of radiocarbon analyses will be sent out to the submitter by email. The results are also available to submitters through our online database organised by project.
Full OxA numbers are normally only given to radiocarbon measurements which have been obtained using standard methods within the ORAU lab. For further details see the OxA number reference.
If requested any remaining material will be returned at this stage. Material not returned will be kept effectively indefinitely (certainly for two years) in case there are any queries arising from the measurement.
For terrestrial samples, we will also routinely perform a calibration against the currently accepted IntCal calibration curve using OxCal. See our explantion of radiocarbon results.
In the case of samples which show the effects of the nuclear bomb tests in the middle of the 20th Century we can do a calibration against a calibration curve relevant to that period. See our explantion of radiocarbon results from the modern period.
Once the results have been communicated, we are happy to help with the interpretation of the results. We can also undertake statistical analysis (for example with OxCal) is thought to be useful. This can include site-based models, wiggle-matched dating of wood or age-depth modelling for environmental sequences.
Part of our dating service is the publication of all archaeological radiocarbon dates in the Archaeometry Datelists. We are also happy to assist submitters with their own publications.
Once results have been published we can make them available online to the general public linked to the publication through our database. We are very grateful to submitters for keeping us informed of new publications so that we can link to them.
See databases.