Hallstatt plateau
Encyclopedia
The Hallstatt plateau is a term used in archaeology
that refers to a consistently flat area on graphs that plot radiocarbon dating
against calendar dates. Radiocarbon dates of around 2450 BP (Before Present) always calibrate to ca. 800-400 BC, no matter the measurement precision. The carbon 14 dating method is hampered by this large plateau on the calibration curve from ca. 800-400 BC (at 2450 BP), a critical period in human technological development. Just before and after the plateau, calibration is accurate; during the plateau only techniques like wiggle matching
can yield useful calendar ages.
period in central Europe with which it coincides. Millard also explains that wiggle matching
is a term which has wide acceptance in the radiocarbon community, and involves taking a series of radiocarbon dates where the prior knowledge about the true calendar dates of the samples can be expressed as known differences in age between those samples, or occasionally as differences in age with some small uncertainty. The series of radiocarbon dates can then be matched to the calibration curve to provide a relatively precise estimate of age. When the results are plotted on a graph the `wiggles' in the sample sequence of radiocarbon dates match the 'wiggles' in the calibration curve - hence the name.
cites Michael Baillie (who developed Irish oak dendrochronology
): "The immediate conclusion is that it is impossible to sensibly resolve the radiocarbon dates of any samples whose true ages lie between 400 and 800 BC. This is a catastrophe for Late Bronze Age/Iron Age archaeology although one which has been predicted for some time."
Archaeological science
Archaeological science, also known as archaeometry, consists of the application of scientific techniques to the analysis of archaeological materials. Archaeometry is now considered its own scientific field. The UK's Natural and Environmental Research Council provides funding for archaeometry...
that refers to a consistently flat area on graphs that plot radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating is a radiometric dating method that uses the naturally occurring radioisotope carbon-14 to estimate the age of carbon-bearing materials up to about 58,000 to 62,000 years. Raw, i.e. uncalibrated, radiocarbon ages are usually reported in radiocarbon years "Before Present" ,...
against calendar dates. Radiocarbon dates of around 2450 BP (Before Present) always calibrate to ca. 800-400 BC, no matter the measurement precision. The carbon 14 dating method is hampered by this large plateau on the calibration curve from ca. 800-400 BC (at 2450 BP), a critical period in human technological development. Just before and after the plateau, calibration is accurate; during the plateau only techniques like wiggle matching
Wiggle matching
Wiggle matching, also known as carbon–14 wiggle-match dating uses the non-linear relationship between 14C age and calendar age to match the shape of a series of closely sequentially spaced 14C dates with the 14C calibration curve. A numerical approach to WMD allows one to assess the...
can yield useful calendar ages.
Wiggle matching
Andrew Millard says that this plateau is named after the Hallstatt cultureHallstatt culture
The Hallstatt culture was the predominant Central European culture from the 8th to 6th centuries BC , developing out of the Urnfield culture of the 12th century BC and followed in much of Central Europe by the La Tène culture.By the 6th century BC, the Hallstatt culture extended for some...
period in central Europe with which it coincides. Millard also explains that wiggle matching
Wiggle matching
Wiggle matching, also known as carbon–14 wiggle-match dating uses the non-linear relationship between 14C age and calendar age to match the shape of a series of closely sequentially spaced 14C dates with the 14C calibration curve. A numerical approach to WMD allows one to assess the...
is a term which has wide acceptance in the radiocarbon community, and involves taking a series of radiocarbon dates where the prior knowledge about the true calendar dates of the samples can be expressed as known differences in age between those samples, or occasionally as differences in age with some small uncertainty. The series of radiocarbon dates can then be matched to the calibration curve to provide a relatively precise estimate of age. When the results are plotted on a graph the `wiggles' in the sample sequence of radiocarbon dates match the 'wiggles' in the calibration curve - hence the name.
Effect of the plateau
Some archaeologists and chronologists refer to the Hallstatt plateau as the "1st millennium BC radiocarbon disaster". Peter JamesPeter James
Peter James is a British author and historian specialising in ancient history and archaeology of the Eastern Mediterranean region. He graduated in ancient history and archeology at the University of Birmingham and does postgraduate research at University College London.James has advanced several...
cites Michael Baillie (who developed Irish oak dendrochronology
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronology or tree-ring dating is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings. Dendrochronology can date the time at which tree rings were formed, in many types of wood, to the exact calendar year...
): "The immediate conclusion is that it is impossible to sensibly resolve the radiocarbon dates of any samples whose true ages lie between 400 and 800 BC. This is a catastrophe for Late Bronze Age/Iron Age archaeology although one which has been predicted for some time."