IntCal98

IntCal98 is a marine radiocarbon calibration curve that is widely used in the field of archaeology and paleoclimatology to convert radiocarbon ages into calendar ages. It was developed by the IntCal (International Radiocarbon Calibration) working group and is based on a large dataset of radiocarbon measurements from marine sediments.

The IntCal98 curve is characterized by a pronounced negative shift in the late Holocene, which is attributed to changes in the Southern Ocean circulation. This shift is known as the "IntCal98 bump" and has significant implications for the interpretation of radiocarbon dates from this period. The curve also includes a positive shift in the early Holocene, which is less well understood but may be related to changes in atmospheric circulation.

IntCal98 was released in 1998 and has since been superseded by more recent calibration curves, such as IntCal13 and IntCal20. However, it remains an important reference point in the field and is still used in many studies, particularly those that focus on the late Holocene period.

The development of IntCal98 was a collaborative effort involving researchers from around the world. The working group included experts in radiocarbon dating, marine geology, and paleoclimatology, who worked together to compile and analyze the data used to construct the curve. The resulting calibration curve has been widely adopted by the scientific community and has had a significant impact on our understanding of past climates and human history.