How reliable are radiocarbon laboratories? A report on the Fourth International Radiocarbon Inter-comparison (FIRI) (1998-2001).(Method)

Boaretto, E. et al. (2003) How reliable are radiocarbon laboratories? A report on the Fourth International Radiocarbon Inter-comparison (FIRI) (1998-2001).(Method). Antiquity, 77(295), pp. 146-155.

Abstract

The most recent radiocarbon inter-comparison exercise (FIRI), completed in 2001, was also the most extensive so far, with 85 laboratories participating. The study was designed firstly to assess the comparability of the results from different laboratories and then to quantify the extent and possible causes of any inter-laboratory variation. Radiocarbon dating is universally employed as a dating tool in archaeology, but there is an inevitable diversity of experimental approaches within radiocarbon dating facilities and in this situation the issue of comparability of results amongst laboratories becomes paramount. In keeping with the principles of analytical science, radiocarbon laboratories have always been conscious of the importance of accuracy and precision for their reported results i.e. the ethos of analytical quality control (QC) which in turn is the foundation for the wider concept of quality assurance (QA). The care and effort given to establishing and maintaining primary standards and reference materials exemplify this concern for good quality management within the radiocarbon community. As early as 1989, Long and Kalin (1990) stressed that it was incumbent on individual radiocarbon laboratories to engage in a formal programme of quality assurance (QA) while Polach (1989) noted that the opportunity for internal checking by individual laboratories in routine [sup.14]C measurement was hampered by a lack of suitable quality control (QC) and reference materials. The work reported here describes ongoing international efforts by means of a laboratory inter-comparison to assure users of laboratory quality and comparability of measurements and to provide suitable quality control and reference materials. This work builds on the previous laboratory inter-comparisons that have taken place over the last 20 years (ISG, 1982; Scott et al, 1991; Rozanski et al, 1992; Gulliksen and Scott, 1995). A substantial effort has been made by the [sup.14]C community to develop and apply both internal and external QA procedures. FIRI provides a part of these procedures in the form of an independent check of laboratory performance. However, it only provides a spot check of operational performance at the time it was carried out and does not measure consistent performance over a period of time and so should not form the basis of a `league table of laboratory performance'. This is why the FIRI results are published without laboratory attribution.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cook, Professor Gordon and Naysmith, Mr Phillip
• Authors: Boaretto, E., Bryant, C., Carmi, I., Cook, G., Gulliksen, S., Harkness, D., Heinemeier, J., McClure, J., McGee, E., Naysmith, P., Possnert, G., Scott, M., van der Plicht, H., and van Strydonck, M.
• Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Antiquity
• ISSN: 0003-598X

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
22753	1	Analytical protocol and quality assurance for C-14 analyses in environmental, quarternary and archaeological sciences	E Scott	Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)	GR9/03389	M&S - STATISTICS