Field problems of radiocarbon dating in Tasmania

Abstract

Radiocarbon dating of Late Quaternary deposits has shown that erosion of old organic materials and their redeposition in younger sediments may give ages that are too old. Also, the humid climate and leaching pedogenic environment of much of Tasmania permits translocation of young humic acids down profile through porous sediments. The humic acids may then be perched by impermeable clay horizons or may be adsorbed/ absorbed by older clay and organic materials to give ages that are too young. These problems are illustrated by examples.