Radiocarbon - Journals World

Journal Name: Radiocarbon

Journal Type: Q1

ISSN: 00338222

Subject Area and Category: Arts and Humanities Archeology (arts and humanities) Earth and Planetary Sciences Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Research Ranking: 116

Publication Type: Journals

H-Index: 96

Coverage: 1980, 1982, 1989-2025

Editors-in-Chief: A.J. Timothy Jull

Research Impact Score: 5.4

Impact Factor: 2

SCIMAGO SJR: 0.913

APC Cost: $2487

Homepage: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/radiocarbon

Submission Link: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/radiocarbon

Contact Email: jull@email.arizona.edu

Address: 4985 SW 74th Court, Miami, Florida 33155

Overview

Radiocarbon is a highly respected peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to the field of radiocarbon dating and its applications in a wide range of disciplines, including archaeology, geology, environmental science, and climate research. Published by Cambridge University Press for the University of Arizona, Radiocarbon has served as the primary source for advancements in carbon-14 research for over six decades. It is a vital resource for scientists, researchers, and students who rely on radiocarbon dating to understand the timing and development of past events and environments.

The Scope of the Radiocarbon Journal

The journal’s scope encompasses the science and application of radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating and related techniques. It covers original research, methodology papers, technical innovations, reviews, and conference proceedings. The journal aims to provide a platform for studies that enhance the precision, accuracy, and interpretation of radiocarbon data across various fields.

Key areas covered include:

Radiocarbon Dating Techniques: Improvements in AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry), sample preparation, calibration curves, and dating protocols.
Chronology and Calibration: Articles on radiocarbon calibration methods, Bayesian modeling, and regional chronologies.
Archaeological Applications: Case studies where radiocarbon data is used to date artifacts, human activity, and cultural evolution.
Paleoenvironmental Research: Use of radiocarbon to reconstruct past climates, sea-level changes, and ecological shifts.
Geological and Oceanographic Studies: Radiocarbon dating of sediments, corals, and other geological materials.

An International Platform for Radiocarbon Research

As the leading journal in its field, Radiocarbon attracts contributions from researchers worldwide. The journal fosters an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas, highlighting how radiocarbon data informs diverse scientific inquiries—from the study of prehistoric human societies to recent changes in carbon cycles driven by industrialization.

Radiocarbon also regularly publishes the proceedings of major international radiocarbon conferences, making it a central hub for ongoing global collaboration and innovation in ¹⁴C research.

Commitment to Scientific Excellence

Each submission to Radiocarbon undergoes a rigorous peer-review process to ensure the highest standards of quality, originality, and scientific relevance. The editorial team, composed of experts from multiple disciplines, ensures that the journal stays at the cutting edge of technological advancements and theoretical developments in radiocarbon dating.

Digital Access and Impact

With the journal's presence on Cambridge Core, researchers and readers benefit from seamless digital access to current and past issues. The journal’s high citation rate reflects its influence and authority in the scientific community, making it a go-to reference for radiocarbon methodologies and chronological studies.

About

Radiocarbon, also known as carbon-14, is a naturally occurring radioactive isotope of carbon that has revolutionized our understanding of historical and environmental timelines. Since its discovery in the 1940s by chemist Willard Libby, radiocarbon has been widely used in radiocarbon dating—a scientific method essential for determining the age of ancient artifacts, fossils, and geological samples.

What is Radiocarbon?

Radiocarbon (14C) is formed in the upper atmosphere when cosmic rays interact with nitrogen atoms. This radioactive carbon is then absorbed by living organisms through processes like respiration and photosynthesis. As long as an organism is alive, it maintains a constant level of carbon-14. However, once it dies, the intake stops, and the 14C begins to decay at a known rate—its half-life is approximately 5,730 years.

This predictable decay process forms the foundation of radiocarbon dating, allowing scientists to calculate how long it has been since a living organism died. This technique is particularly valuable in archaeology, paleontology, climatology, and geology.

Applications of Radiocarbon Dating

Radiocarbon dating is one of the most reliable methods for determining the age of organic materials up to about 50,000 years old. It has helped answer critical questions about human evolution, ancient civilizations, and climate change. Some of its key applications include:

Archaeology: Dating ancient artifacts, bones, and human remains.
Geology: Understanding sediment layers and geological events.
Paleontology: Dating extinct flora and fauna.
Environmental Science: Tracking changes in atmospheric carbon levels and reconstructing past climates.

The Process of Radiocarbon Analysis

Radiocarbon dating involves several sophisticated steps:

Sample Collection: Organic material like wood, charcoal, bone, or shell is carefully collected.
Pretreatment: The sample is cleaned to remove contaminants that could affect accuracy.
Measurement: Advanced instruments like Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) or Liquid Scintillation Counting are used to measure the remaining 14C levels.
Calibration: Raw radiocarbon dates are calibrated against historical data to adjust for fluctuations in atmospheric 14C levels over time.

Limitations and Accuracy

While radiocarbon dating is incredibly useful, it is not without limitations. Its accuracy can be affected by contamination, sample preservation, and variations in atmospheric carbon over millennia. However, calibration curves and modern technology have significantly improved its precision.

Radiocarbon and Climate Change

Beyond archaeology, radiocarbon is increasingly used to track carbon emissions and understand the global carbon cycle. By studying radiocarbon levels in tree rings, ice cores, and ocean sediments, scientists can reconstruct past climates and assess human impacts on Earth’s atmosphere—making it a valuable tool in climate science.

Scope

Radiocarbon is a premier, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the advancement of radiocarbon science and its applications in dating and chronological studies. Since its establishment in 1959, the journal has been the authoritative source for researchers, archaeologists, geologists, and environmental scientists working with radiocarbon (^14C) dating. Published by Cambridge University Press, Radiocarbon serves as a key platform for original research, technical developments, and interdisciplinary studies that utilize radiocarbon measurements to explore and understand the past.

Broad Scope of Radiocarbon Science

The Radiocarbon journal covers a wide array of topics related to radiocarbon dating and the carbon cycle. Its scope includes the development and refinement of dating techniques, calibration curves, laboratory methodologies, and applications in fields such as archaeology, geosciences, paleoclimatology, and oceanography. The journal welcomes both theoretical and applied research that advances the understanding and use of ^14C in diverse scientific contexts.

Key subject areas include:

Radiocarbon Dating Techniques: New methods and improvements in accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), liquid scintillation counting (LSC), and sample preparation.
Calibration and Chronology: Advances in calibration datasets like IntCal and the creation of reliable chronological frameworks.
Carbon Cycle and Reservoir Effects: Studies on how radiocarbon moves through different reservoirs (atmosphere, oceans, biosphere), and the implications for dating.
Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Applications: Use of radiocarbon dating to build timelines for human history, climate events, and environmental change.
Interdisciplinary Research: Collaborations that integrate radiocarbon data into broader scientific narratives, including isotopic studies and modeling.

A Global Hub for ^14C Research

Radiocarbon is internationally recognized and draws contributions from laboratories, universities, and research institutions worldwide. The journal supports a global network of scientists working with radiocarbon, providing a critical platform for the exchange of ideas, data, and techniques. Each issue features high-quality articles that reflect the latest innovations and challenges in radiocarbon analysis.

Emphasis on Technical Rigor and Innovation

As a leader in the field, Radiocarbon emphasizes technical precision and methodological rigor. Articles often include detailed discussions of sampling protocols, measurement uncertainty, contamination control, and statistical modeling. The journal is particularly valuable for laboratories seeking to improve the accuracy and reliability of their radiocarbon results.

Supporting Chronological Frameworks Across Disciplines

The scope of the Radiocarbon journal extends beyond dating alone—it plays a critical role in constructing accurate and meaningful chronological frameworks. These frameworks are essential for understanding human prehistory, climatic shifts, sea-level changes, and more. By supporting interdisciplinary research, Radiocarbon helps bridge the gap between raw data and real-world historical interpretation.