An archaeological radiocarbon database for southern Africa. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loftus, Emma; Mitchell, Peter J.; Ramsey, Christopher Bronk
• Is Part Of: Antiquity. Volume 93:Number 370(2019)
• Page Start: 870
• Page End: 885
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: southern Africa, -- radiocarbon, -- open access, -- chronological modelling; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.05
• DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2019.75
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-598X

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract : The Southern African Radiocarbon Database (SARD) is a new online, open-access database of published radiocarbon dates from southern African archaeological contexts. Compatible with the calibration, Bayesian modelling and mapping functionality of the OxCal software, the SARD will greatly assist in the documentation and analysis of chronological trends across the subcontinent. This article introduces the database and presents two case studies that demonstrate its utility and its integration with OxCal, comparing the temporal distribution of radiocarbon dates in two archaeologically well-investigated regions, and assessing the timing of Middle to Later Stone Age technological developments across the African subcontinent.