Vermont Radiocarbon Database
In 2007, I published a short article in the Journal of Vermont Archaeology in which I reported ca. 250 radiocarbon determinations on archaeological material from Vermont. I also included a discussion of the radiocarbon method to introduce some of the fundamental assumptions involved in the technique. This date list complements other similar lists published in other states (see below).
I continue to keep an eye out for archaeological and geological 14C dates from Vermont and New England. To date, I have collected over 2000 published radiocarbon dates from New England and surrounding regions. But, the database has simply grown to be too big to publish in traditional printed media. Furthermore, even if it were to be printed, anyone wishing to use these data would be forced to transcribe them back into a spreadsheet, thus defeating the purpose of having transcribed them into a digital medium in the first place. As a first step towards developing an on-line database of radiometric dates for New England archaeology, I am have made my list of Vermont dates available here.
[Download Vermont Archaeological Radiocarbon Dates]
Researchers wishing to make use of this database should cite it as follows:
Boulanger, M. T. 2007 Database of Radiocarbon Dates for Vermont with a Brief Discussion of the Method. Journal of Vermont Archaeology 8:1–25.
Because I have documented several errors in second- and third-order sources, I encourage all users to verify the dates listed here with primary sources. Corrections and additions to this database are welcome, and all contributions will be acknowledged.
Other Radiocarbon Date Lists for the Northeast
Cox, S. 1999 Radiocarbon Dates Obtained by Steven Cox, Maine State Museum, Augusta, Maine as of October 1, 1999. MAS Newsletter 13(Summer/Fall): 3-5.
Gengras, J. B. 1996 Radiocarbon Dates for Archaeological Sites in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Archaeologist 36: 8–15.
Herbstritt, James T. 1988 A Reference for Pennsylvania Radiocarbon Dates. Pennsylvania Archaeologist 58(2):1–30.
Hoffman, C. 1988 Radiocarbon Dates from Massachusetts: An Annotated Listing. Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society 49(1): 21–38.
Jordan, D. 1969 Radiocarbon Dates for New England Archaeology. In: An Introduction to the Archaeology and History of the Connecticut Valley Indian, W. R. Young (ed.). Springfield Museum of Science, New Series, Vol. 1, Issue 1. Springfield Museum of Science, Springfield, MA.
Levine, M. A. 1990 Accomodating Age: Radiocarbon Results and Fluted Point Sites in Northeastern North America. Archaeology of Eastern North America 18:33–63.
Lizee, J. M. 1994 Prehistoric Ceramic Sequences and Patterning in Southern New England: The Windsor Tradition. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Connecticut, Storrs.
Petersen, J. B. and D. Sanger 1991 An Aboriginal Ceramic Sequence for Maine and the Maritime Provinces. In: Prehistoric Archaeology in the Maritime Provinces: Past and Present Research, edited by M. Deal and S. Blair, pp. 113-170. Reports in Archaelogy No. 8. New Brunswick Archaeological Services, Fredericton, N.B.
Public Archaeology Laboratory n.d. PAL C14 Database. On-line document available at: http://www.palinc.com/FRAMED%20PAGES/C14.htm
Will, R. 1999 Radiocarbon Dates Obtained by Archaeological Research Consultants, Inc., Ellsworth, Maine as of December 31, 1999. MAS Newsletter 13(Summer/Fall): 2–3.