Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1962-1986

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0387
Creators:
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory
Dates:
1962-1986
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
13 cu. ft. (13 record storage boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records document the operation of the Carbon-Dating Laboratory during its twenty-four year history. They include logbooks containing raw data on samples analyzed; incoming and outgoing correspondence of Sigalove, Long, and Stuckenrath with Smithsonian and outside scientists concerning the analysis of samples submitted for dating; information on dates provided by the Laboratory which were published in the journal Radiocarbon; and miscellaneous laboratory and record books.

Historical Note

Historical Note
A Carbon-Dating Laboratory was established in the Division of Radiation and Organisms, Astrophysical Observatory, in September 1962. The function of the Laboratory was to analyze samples of archaeological and geological interest submitted by Smithsonian and outside researchers. The Laboratory also conducted basic research in the techniques of dating by the use of the carbon-14 method. Joel J. Sigalove, a geochemist, directed the Laboratory during its first year of operations. Austin Long was appointed Geochemist in 1963 and given charge of the carbon-dating work. Long resigned in 1968, and was replaced by Robert Stuckenrath, who directed the Laboratory with the title of Anthropologist. Stuckenrath remained in the position until carbon-dating work ceased when the Rockville laboratory of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center closed in November 1986.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 387, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory, Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Sigalove, Joel J. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Long, Austin Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stuckenrath, Robert Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Radiation and Organisms Division Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Radiocarbon dating Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Geochemistry Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Laboratory notebooks Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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Washington, D.C.
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