Accuracy and Reproducibility of 14C Measurements at the Leibniz-Labor, Kiel: A First Response to Lull et al., “When 14C Dates Fall Beyond the Limits of Uncertainty: An Assessment of Anomalies in Western Mediterranean Bronze Age 14C Series”

Abstract

In this issue, Lull et al. (2015) have compiled a list of anomalous radiocarbon dates on samples of archaeological material from La Bastida and other sites in Spain, reported by our laboratory in 2009–2013. On this basis, they suggest that “at least from 2009 onwards” all Kiel’s dates on organic samples are potentially inaccurate, and often too old. We would like to briefly respond to these claims, and to reassure readers that the quality of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) ¹⁴C measurements at Kiel is comparable again to that in other research laboratories.

DOI: 10.2458/azu_rc.57.18569