CalPal

• New CalCurve CalPal2007_HULU. May 2007
• CalPal Update: CalTable. May 2006
• New CalCurve CalPal_2005_SFCP. September 2005
• New CalCurve CalPal_2004_SFCP and CTC. July 2004
• CalPal-Online: QuickCal download. May 2004
• New CalCurve: CalPal2004_Jan. January 2004
• CalPal Update. December 2003
• CalPal-Online. July 2003
• New CalCurve and CCC. May 2003

Newsletter: New CalCurve CalPal2007_HULU

Dear Collegues,

We are pleased to announce a new version of the Cologne Radiocarbon Calibration Programme (CalPal), ready for download from the website www.calpal.de. CalPal contains an update of the 14C-age calibration curve, called CalPal-2007-Hulu, based (along with other data) on corresponding Hulu-referenced Cariaco data by Konrad Hughen et al (QSR, Vol 25, 2006).

To support application of the new Hulu 14C-age calibration, we have included in the CalPal climate-library some ready-tuned HULU-scaled Greenland and Antarctica ice-core climate proxies, and also the necessary synchronisation tables (GISP2->Hulu; GRIP_SS09->Hulu> NGRIP->Hulu) for age-transfer of further climate data, if needed, using the CalPal climate age-model dialog.

The radiocarbon database for the Near Eastern and Mediterranean Early Neolithic is also updated, to include the North European Trichterbecher and Ertebölle cultures (total: N=9715 dates). We have integrated the INQUA Palaeolithic Database (courtesy Pierre Vermeersch), with N=5900 dates. Further revisions and updates can be taken from the CalPal change-log.

Again, thanks to many collegues for support !

Greetings

Uwe Danzeglocke, Bernhard Weninger, and Olaf Jöris

Newsletter: CalPal Update: CalTable. May 2006

Dear Collegues,

We are pleased to announce an update of the Cologne Radiocarbon Calibration Programme (CalPal), that is now available as download (free scienceware) from our website www.calpal.de.

Perhaps most important, this update supplies CalPal with the capability of switching between timescales (CalBP and CalBC/AD). In addition, we have given CalPal a new dialog called “CalTable”. With this dialog, the user can enter single radiocarbon ages just as much as groups (max N=1000 14C-ages) in a spreadsheet and see the results as calibration graph, immediately. The CalTable dialog covers all basic file operations (e.g. open/save, graph export), as well as the CalPal-typical climate context-calibration.

As extension of the climate libraries, the update covers the EPICA-CH4 data. In addition, we have included in CalPal the recently published NGRIP-GICC05 stable oxygen data set that has been produced by the Copenhagen Glaciology Group:

http://www.gfy.ku.dk/~www-glac/pages/data.html

The underlying new Greenland Ice Core Timescale (GICC05; 0-14.6 ka calBP) represents, in our view, a major step forward for all radiocarbon-based climate-related archaeological studies. The GICC05 timescale is compatible, notably for the Late Glacial, with our latest (Sep 2005) Glacial calibration curve (CalPal-SFCP-2005), in the common age range (0-14.6 ka calBP).

By courtesy of Utz Boehner and Daniel Schyle we have extended the radiocarbon database for the Near East and South-East European Neolithic from (previously) N=4665 data sets to (now) N=7400 entries.

Greetings
Uwe Danzeglocke, Bernhard Weninger, and Olaf Jöris

Newsletter: New CalCurve - CalPal_2005_SFCP. September 2005

Dear Collegues,

An update of the Cologne Radiocarbon Calibration Program can be downloaded from the site http://www.calpal.de. The update includes new dialogs for Archaeological 14C-Database Management (MultigroupComposer), as well as for mixed Archaeological 14C and TL-U/Th-Database Management (MultimethodComposer). Both dialogs allow the graphic representation of up to 10 archaeological data groups with max 1000 dates each. A new visual tool (Reservoir-Explorer) gives more support in the construction of Glacial calibration curves using the CalCurveComposer. We have included an interface from CalPal to the GIS-Program Globalmapper (http://www.globalmapper.com), to allow the convenient construction of high-resolution archaeological site-distribution maps based e.g. on the freely available SRTM High-Resolution Radar Satellite data. Finally, we have included in CalPal the most recent 14C-age calibration data sets INTCAL04 (March 2005) and Fairbanks0805 (Aug 2005)and have built and integrated the corresponding calibration curves.

Greetings
Uwe Danzeglocke, Bernhard Weninger, and Olaf Jöris

Newsletter: New CalCurve - CalPal_2004_SFCP. July 2004

Dear Collegues,

From our web-site (http://www.calpal.de) you can download as free scienceware an updated version of the (WIN95/98/2000/XP) Köln Radiocarbon Calibration and Palaeoclimate Research Package “CalPal”.

The program contains a new visual tool, the Climate Timescale Composer (CTC), which is a dialog designed to support the construction and age-recalibration of climate proxy time scales. Typical functions supported by CTC are the synchronisation and fine-tuning of climate time scales, the fine-tuning (modification) of established age models, as well as their graphic and numeric comparison. The CTC uses standardised WIN controls (e.g. file operations, pull-down menus, sliders, zoom, clipboard, logs) to support these functions.

In this update of CalPal we have used the CTC, in combination with the earlier completed CCC (CalCurveComposer), to construct a new Radiocarbon Age Calibration Curve (named: CalPal_2004_SFCP) which corresponds to the recently established Absolute Calibration of the Greenland Time Scale, as proposed by Shackleton, Fairbanks, Chiu, and Parrenin (QSR 23, 2004, 1513-1522).

With the new CTC, the corresponding SFCP-age-recalibration of the (N=95) climate proxies already integrated in CalPal can be performed “on-the-fly”.

Greetings
Uwe Danzeglocke, Bernhard Weninger, and Olaf Jöris

Newsletter: CalPal-Online - QuickCal download. May 2004

Universität zu Köln, May 23rd, 2004

Dear Collegues,

From the CalPal-homesite (www.calpal.de) you can download (scienceware) a new stand-alone Radiocarbon Calibration Program called “QuickCal” as well as an upgrade of some of the CalPal climate proxies (see below).

The purpose of QuickCal is the numeric calibration of single 14C-ages in the range 0 to 50 ka 14C-BP. The program has the look of an editor, and is equipped with numeric fields for 14C-age/STD entry. The output is sent to the editor window. For ease-of-use, the screen output is not deleted or overwritten prior to the entry of new 14C-ages, but simply scrolled. By this measure, QuickCal allows the fast sequential listing/documentation of any number of calibrated 14C-ages (hence the program name). All basic file storage & retrieval functions, search & replace, print & clipboard (cut/paste) functions are available from the main dialog as well as by mouse right-click. Similar to CalPal-Online, the new off-line version of CalPal (ActivePerl) may be useful in daily work e.g. if you need to run a quick 14C-age calibration from desk-top. For publications, please use the download version of CalPal. QuickCal.exe can be downloaded from:

www.calpal.de (Download QuickCal)

The above download-version can be started by double-click from any directory under any Win95/98/2000/XP system. A second version, which can be started from the windows systemtray, can be downloaded (zipped file) from:

www.calpal.de (Download QuickCal + Toolbox)

As mentioned above, we have also updated the download version of CalPal with four climate proxies (GRIP & VOSTOK & MD952042 Benthic & Planctonic) that the authors (SFCP) have recently supplied with a new timescale (SFCP 2004). It seems that we may soon be able to construct the corresponding radiocarbon calibration curve ( “SFCP2004-U/Th-Coral-IceCore-Foram-18O-14C-Age-Calibration” ) to span the globe from North to South. Further details:

http://www-pop.esc.cam.ac.uk/popdata/2004sfcp/2004sfcpindex.html

Greetings
Uwe Danzeglocke, Bernhard Weninger, and Olaf Jöris

Newsletter: New CalCurve - CalPal2004_Jan. January 2004

Universität zu Köln, 28th January 2004

We have recently updated the Köln Radiocarbon Calibration and Palaeoclimate Research Program: (www.calpal.de). The new CalPal-download has a revised 14C-age calibration curve (0-50 ka 14C-BP) and now includes the recently extended Cariaco database (Hughen et al.,Science 2003,Vol 303,202-208). A comparison of results obtained with previous Glacial CalCurves (CalPal_1998 -> 2003) is available under www.calpal.de/calpal/files/calcurvecomparison.pdf. The updated application is also available for on-line 14C-age calibration: www.calpal-online.de.

The update includes an extension of the large radiocarbon database (now: N=3000 entries) for the Early Neolithic in the Near East. This database (www.context-database.de) is integrated in CalPal by courtesy of Utz Böhner (Köln). It builds up on work of Gary Rollefson (Walla Walla) & Laurens Thissen (Amsterdam).

The database will be of use to the attendants of the “4th International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East” to be held in Berlin, March 29 - April 3, 2004. (www.ngdc.noaa.gov/paleo/meetings/icaane2004_workshop.html).

Sincerely

Uwe Danzeglocke, Bernhard Weninger and Olaf Jöris

Newsletter: Update of CalPal
Universität zu Köln, December 2003

Dear Collegues,

We have recently updated both the CalPal-program (download version) as well as the CalPal homesite http://www.calpal.de. There are two new climate data sets included in CalPal, first, the Ammersee stable oxygen isotope record (5000-15500 calBP measured on ostracods by von Grafenstein et al. (1999), as available from the NOAA/IGBP PAGES, and second, the Tree-Ring Homegeneity Growth Indices denAD 1985-6067 denBC (annual resolution) based on regional tree-ring chronologies from Germany, with numeric data by courtesy of Burkhard Schmidt and Wolfgang Gruhle (Köln).

The download version of CalPal now contains the Near East Early Neolithic 14C-Data-Base (Levante, Anatolia, Iraq, Iran; including geographic coordinates) with 14C-ages ranging from the Natufian to the end of the Late Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPNA-PPNC). This database (N=2300 entries) is incorporated in CalPal by courtesy of Utz Böhner. It builds up on archaeological radiocarbon data first collected by Gary Rollefson (N=800, Levante) and Laurens Thissen (N=450, Anatolia). We would also like to draw your attention to the homesite of this new 14C-database:
www.context-database.de

This database may be of use for attendants of the “4th International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East”, to be held in Berlin (March 29-April 3, 2004):
www.ngdc.noaa.gov/paleo/meetings/icaane2004_workshop.html

We have also updated the graphic and bibliographic libraries (HELP). To support research in Glacial 14C-calibration, we have added a HELP entitled “13 Reasons to calibrate Glacial 14C-Ages using the GISP2 Age-Model”.

Sincerely
Uwe Danzeglocke, Bernhard Weninger and Olaf Jöris

Newsletter: CalPal-Online
Universität zu Köln, July 2003

Dear Collegues,

The CalPal-homepage now encorporates a new program called “CalPal-Online” which allows the age calibration of numeric Radiocarbon ages in the range 0 to 50 ka 14C-BP via Web-Browser.

You may reach CalPal-Online via the CalPal website or get direct access at www.calpal-online.de. It is thought as a quick reference for your daily work. For publications etc. please use the download version of CalPal.

CalPal-Online is a 350-line program written in Perl running on a Apache webserver enviroment. It calibrates a single 14c-date in c.3 seconds. The embedded calibration curve is built with the CalPal2003 calibration curve data and a cubic spline. The current online version is a spin-off-product of a testsuite for CalPal using a script called quickcal.pl. It will not provide different calibration methods or graphical output. If you need such things, please use the download version of CalPal.

The underlying 14C-age calibration algorithm is essentially identical to the program version(s) used in the download version of CalPal. Indeed, we have invested quite some effort also to achieve identical numeric output. However, due to some unavoidable differences in the programming routines (and notably in the spline representation of the calibration curve), there do exist some measurable numeric differences in the output of CalPal-Online compared to the download versions CalClimate, CalKN, CalGroup, and GaussWM (which are written in FORTRAN-90). As such, we have undertaken some detailed studies to quantify these differences, and estimate them to range from a few calendric decades (in the Holocene) up to 100 years in the Glacial periods. Similar differences can be measured for other 14C-age calibration programs. We are not presently able to state which results are the best.

Sincerely
Uwe Danzeglocke, Bernhard Weninger and Olaf Jöris

Newsletter: New CalCurve and CCC
Universität zu Köln, May 2003

Dear Colleagues,

We have recently updated the CALPAL program (Cologne Radiocarbon Calibration & Palaeoclimate Research Package). The new version includes a dialog called the CalCurveComposer (CCC), and an upgrade of the Calpal Radiocarbon Calibration Curve (CC=Calpal2003).

With the CCC you now have fingertip control over the construction of (max 100) Glacial and Holocene radiocarbon calibration curves, with complete quantitative error analysis on both time scales (14C and calendric) in the age range 0-60 ka. Data entry is based on an ADD/REMOVE dialog for an input of (max) 100 different calibration data files with (max) 10000 dates. CC construction options are:

a) SELECTION of CC data files.
b) CHOICE of SYMBOLS, COLOURS and SIZE of error bars.
c) CHOICE of CC data interpolation METHOD (splines, polynomials).
d) SLIDER-CONTROL of CC spline stiffness.
e) NAME of new CC.
f) STORAGE of CC-data, interpolation method, and error function.
g) DELETE Function for new CC’s considered obsolete.

The output of the CCC is an immediately working CC in the age range covered by the selected data (e.g. 0 to 60 14C-ka). CalCurve errors are based on a (smoothing) polynomial of 6th order run through the (14C-age) differences between entered caldata and constructed CalCurve. Note that, as a rule, the CC-errors increase with the selected CC-smoothness.

As a first application, we have used the new CCC to build an updated Glacial CC (called CalPal2003), based on the following data sets: INTCAL98-tree, Barbados U/TH-corals, PS2644, Suigetsu_1, Suigetsu_3, and Cariaco_ 2000. The new CalPal2003 is similar to the now obsolete CalPal2001 for ages 0-25 ka 14C-BP, but is constructed to be smoother in the age-range 25-28 ka 14C-BP (i.e. the European Gravettian). Once the relevant data sets have been entered, it takes little more than a few “clicks” to produce an updated CC.

The program can be downloaded (scientific freeware) from
http://www.calpal.de

Best regards

(Bernhard Weninger & Olaf Jöris & Uwe Danzeglocke)