TOWARDS A NEW APPROACH TO ARCHAEOMAGNETIC DATING IN EUROPE USING GEOMAGNETIC FIELD MODELLING

Authors: LODGE, A.; HOLME, R.

Source: Archaeometry, Volume 51, Number 2, April 2009 , pp. 309-322(14)

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Abstract:

We introduce a new approach to producing secular variation curves for archaeomagnetic dating, using global geomagnetic field modelling techniques. Using published palaeosecular variation curves for five European locations as input, and a previous global model for regularization, we produce a model for the periodad0-1900, which reproduces the input curves within their 95% confidence intervals, and successfully fits data from other regions in Europe. Our global model performs as well as a previous regional model, but additionally ensures consistency with physical constraints. We show that the curves currently used for dating are not mutually consistent, and therefore that in the future this new approach will provide more reliable curves for archaeomagnetic dating.

Keywords: ARCHAEOMAGNETIC DATING; GEOMAGNETIC SECULAR VARIATION; GEOMAGNETIC FIELD MODELLING

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2008.00400.x

Affiliations: 1: Earth and Ocean Sciences Department, University of Liverpool, Jane Herdman Laboratories, Liverpool L69 3GP, UK

Publication date: 2009-04-01