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Least-squares fitting smooth curves to decadal radiocarbon calibration data from AD 1145 to AD 1945.

F B Knox, B G McFadgen

Abstract


Smoothed curves are least-squares fitted to three sets of decadal radiocarbon calibration data from New Zealand and British Isles (AD 1725-1935) and western North America (AD 1145-1945). The curves are compared with each other and with a curve previously calculated from New Zealand data (AD 1335-1745). The smoothing procedure results in reduced standard deviations of the curves, but at the expense of time resolution. The comparison shows a variable (super 14) C offset between the northern and southern hemispheres of 0-70 years (Southern Hemisphere older), and a Northern Hemisphere longitudinal variation of -20 to +60 years (British Isles generally older than western North America).

Keywords


western North America;least squares analysis;North America;calibration;mathematical methods;statistical analysis;Australasia;New Zealand;United Kingdom;Holocene;upper Holocene;Europe;Western Europe;Cenozoic;Quaternary;methods;C 14;carbon;dates;isotopes;radioactive isotopes;absolute age

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