Interpretation of expected and unexpected results from multimethod analyses of a PWC pottery context

Authors

• Agneta Åkerlund

Abstract

This paper reports on the Pitted Ware Culture site Masmo 2 in Eastern Middle Sweden, where multi-method datings were carried out. The methods applied were radiocarbon dating of charcoal from features and of organic crusts on sherds, luminescence dating of the tempering of ceramic samples, artefact dating and shoreline dating. Interpretations of temporal relationships presuppose reliable dates, and in this case the dates from the various methods do not always agree. The author calls for more joint attempts at correlating dates between methods and rejects the separation of observation from interpretation in excavation strategy.