scholarly journals CalibETH: An Interactive Computer Program for the Calibration of Radiocarbon Dates

Radiocarbon ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Niklaus ◽  
Georges Bonani ◽  
Markus Simonius ◽  
Martin Suter ◽  
Willy Wölfli
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Probability Density Function ◽  
Computer Program ◽  
Probability Density ◽  
Density Function ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Interactive Computer Program ◽  
Calibration Curves ◽  
Ibm Pc ◽  
Digital Research

A computer program for convenient calibration of radiocarbon dates has been developed. The program has a simple user interface, which includes pull-down menus, windows and mouse support. All important information, such as calibration curves, probability density function and results, in text form, are displayed on the screen and easily can be rearranged by the user. Two versions of CalibETH, one for an IBM-PC and one for the Macintosh, are available. CalibETH runs under the graphics interface, GEM, from Digital Research, on an IBM PC.

scholarly journals Shape Analysis of Cumulative Probability Density Function of Radiocarbon Dates Set in the Study of Climate Change in the Late Glacial and Holocene

Radiocarbon ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 733-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danuta J Michczyńska ◽  
Anna Pazdur
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Probability Density Function ◽  
Probability Density ◽  
Density Function ◽  
Late Glacial ◽  
Cumulative Probability ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
The Holocene

We report on a statistical analysis of a large set of radiocarbon dates for reconstruction of paleoclimate. Probability density functions were constructed by summing the probability distributions of individual 14C dates. Our analysis was based on 2 assumptions: 1) The amount of organic matter in sediments depends on paleogeographical conditions; 2) The number of 14C-dated samples is proportional to the amount of organic matter deposited in sediments in the examined time intervals. We quantified how many dates are required to give statistically reliable results. As an example, 785 peat dates from Poland were selected. The dates encompassed the Holocene and Late Glacial period. All dates came from the Gliwice Radiocarbon Laboratory. Results were compared with other paleoenvironmental records. Detailed analysis of the frequency distributions showed that preferential sampling plays an important part in the shape determination. The general rule to take samples from locations where visible changes of sedimentation are apparent (e.g. from the top and the bottom of the peat layer) results in narrow peaks in the probability density function near the limits of the Holocene subdivision.

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