Radiocarbon Dating and Absolute Chronology in the prehistoric western Mediterranean: Current Problems and Future Prospects

Until the radiocarbon revolution, archaeologists relied solely on ceramic and other artifactual sequences to determine the relative chronology of prehistoric Mediterranean cultures. In the western Mediterranean, widespread and easily identifiable Early Neolithic impressed wares, Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age beakers, and Late Bronze Age decorated Mycenaean wares, serve as "horizons" which link local chronologies into a regional sequence of cultures and ultimately tie them to an absolute, historical chronology. Such integrated regional sequences are necessary if we are to address questions of cultural interaction, diffusion of ideas, or migration of populations. There are places where these horizons are absent, however, and more importantly, there are gaps in the sequence between these chronological markers. During some of these intervals the islands of Sardinia and Corsica were first settled, domesticated cereals were introduced, the use of metals began, and monumental architecture appeared. Radiocarbon and other dating methods (AMS, obsidian hydration, TL) can fill these gaps if applied correctly. Nevertheless, series of dates do not exist for most sites, often for a lack of appropriate samples, or the cost to run them.

This paper critically evaluates the dates that do exist for the western Mediterranean, and the latest calibration curves are used to propose an integrated, absolute chronology for the region. The archaeological issues mentioned are explored briefly in light of the limitations of the available dates, and finally, recommendations are made on how existing excavated collections and future research efforts can help us realize the chronological answers to our archaeological questions.