Holocene variation of radiocarbon reservoir age offshore western Taiwan, derived from paired charcoals and mollusks

Abstract We use the carbon content of charcoals from coastal sediments to evaluate the magnitude of alteration, and apply this as a screening criterion for radiocarbon dating. Charcoals with carbon yields 14 C years, between 3000 and 4000 cal BP. After this time the late Holocene R value from our site returns to the SCS pre-bomb value. These west coast R values are lower than those from offshore northeastern Taiwan, and reinforce the need to document site-specific R values through time to achieve reliable 14 C dates.