Comment on Cook and Comstock's Evaluating the Old Wood Problem in a Temperate Climate: A Fort Ancient Case Study

TitleComment on Cook and Comstock's Evaluating the Old Wood Problem in a Temperate Climate: A Fort Ancient Case Study
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsHart, JP, Nolan, KC
JournalAmerican Antiquity
Volume80
Start Page610
Issue3
Pagination610-612
KeywordsFort Ancient, northeastern North America, Old Wood Problem, radiocarbon dating
Abstract

In their recent report, Cook and Comstock (2014) purport to address the “old wood” problem in temperate eastern North America. Here we point out several interpretive and analytical errors in their work. We conclude that careful selection of wood charcoal for radiocarbon assay can result in accurate chronology for events of interest. However, this does not obviate the need to critically assess the extant database of wood charcoal dates in any chronology building effort.

URLhttps://doi.org/10.7183/0002-7316.80.3.610
DOI10.7183/0002-7316.80.3.610