C04_03

Interfacing Radiocarbon Production Events from Cosmic-ray Bursts with Other Fields of Research

Kuitems M¹, Dee M¹

¹University Of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

Since Miyake et al. (2012) published the spike in radiocarbon production caused by a cosmic-ray strike in the year 774 CE, numerous other distinct yet ephemeral features in the radiocarbon record have been discovered. The cosmic-ray events that occurred in 774 and 993 CE have proven especially effective for dating wooden items, and their associated historical or geological contexts, to the exact year. As part of the ECHOES project, other avenues of research centring on the utilisation of these events are now being explored. The new applications vary in nature and scope. One aspect involves the use of high-precision radiocarbon measurements on individual tree-rings to overcome long-standing barriers in dendrochronology. In other applications, radiocarbon data from disparate periods and geographical regions are being combined with new proxies, such as stable isotope records and even genetic data, to maximise the potential of these versatile time markers.