Archaeological Radiocarbon Dates for Studying the Population History in Eastern Fennoscandia

• Published in: Radiocarbon
• Main Authors: Oinonen, M, Pesonen, P, Tallavaara, M
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2010
• Subjects: Fennoscandia
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033822200045446; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0033822200045446

In this work, archaeological radiocarbon data gathered from eastern Fennoscandia have been scrutinized to discuss their suitability for studies of population history. The temporal distribution of the archaeological 14 C dates has been analyzed against possible research priorities and sample material deterioration. An outstanding “Stone Age” maximum has been observed in practically all the displayed temporal date distributions. The pattern remains the same throughout the history of 14 C dating in Finland. Due to sample material differences, equal taphonomic corrections based on 14 C-dated volcanic deposits cannot account for all the sample degradation effects; therefore, material-dependent correction procedures are suggested.