Radiocarbon dating
Established in 2007, our accelerator mass spectrometry facility continues a legacy of radiocarbon dating at Queen’s that began in 1969. Our experienced team have reported at least 30,000 high quality dates for use in both environmental and archaeological studies.
The 14Chrono Centre provides radiocarbon (14C) dates and stable isotope analysis as well as statistical chronological models for both research and commercial projects in a wide range of disciplines including archaeology and environmental sciences.
ANALYTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is a technology that allows us to distinguish and detect different types of 
atoms on the basis of differences in atomic weights (mass). Major advances in the application of this technology to radiocarbon dating were made in the 1980s and it has since become the dominant method used in radiocarbon labs worldwide.
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) at 14CHRONO is primarily used for bone collagen analysis as part of the radiocarbon process, measuring carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. Stable isotope measurements provide information on preservation, contamination and dietary analysis of bone. Stable C and N isotopes are also measured for environmental analysis of a wide range of sample types.
| Type of Equipment | What is it used for? | Disciplines |
|---|---|---|
| Graphitisation apparatus | To convert samples to graphite using zinc reduction for subsequent C14 age determination | Archaeology, Palaeoecology and Geography |
| Accelerator Mass Spectrometer | Measurement of sample C14 activity to determine the C14 age | Archaeology, Palaeoecology and Geography |
| Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer | Measurement of sample carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios to allow palaeo-dietary and palaeoclimatic and interpretations | Archaeology and Palaeoecology |
| X-Ray Cabinet | To look at excavated bones for old fractures and diseases | Archaeology |
All equipment located in the Fitzwilliam Building, Fitzwilliam Street
Recent Publications
The IntCal20 Northern Hemisphere radiocarbon age calibration curve (0–55 cal kBP). Reimer, P.J., Austin, W.E., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Blackwell, P.G., Ramsey, C.B., Butzin, M., Cheng, H., Edwards, R.L., Friedrich, M. and Grootes, P.M., 2020. In: Radiocarbon, pp.1-33.
Cave bear occupation in Schwabenreith Cave, Austria, during the early last glacial: constraints from 230Th/U-dated speleothems. Spötl, C., Scholz, D., Rabeder, G. & Reimer, P. J., 01 Aug 2019, In: Journal of Quaternary Science. 34, 6, p. 424-432
Double the dates and go for Bayes — Impacts of model choice, dating density and quality on chronologies. Blaauw, M., Christen, J. A., Bennett, K. D. & Reimer, P. J., 15 May 2018, In: Quaternary Science Reviews. 188, p. 58-66
Mammoths inside the Alps during the last glacial period: Radiocarbon constraints from Austria and palaeoenvironmental implications. Spötl, C., Reimer, P. J. & Göhlich, U. B., 15 Jun 2018, In: Quaternary Science Reviews. 190, p. 11-19
Modern Freshwater Reservoir Offsets in the Eurasian Steppe: Implications for Archaeology. Svyatko, S. V., Reimer, P. J. & Schulting, R., 01 Oct 2017, In: Radiocarbon. 59, 5, p. 1597-1607