Dating raised bogs: New aspects of AMS 14C wiggle matching, a reservoir effect and climatic change

High resolution AMS dating of Holocene raised bog deposits (Engbertsdijksvenen, The Netherlands) shows natural ¹⁴C variations (wiggles) which can be matched with the dendrochronological calibration curve. Comparison of our results with other, conventionally dated peat cores and the Δ ¹⁴C record shows an unexpected and as yet unreported reservoir effect, and a marked and sudden wetting of the bog surfaces coinciding with the advent of a Spörer-type solar minimum (the Homeric minimum). The potential of AMS dating to vastly improve the accuracy of Holocene chronologies is demonstrated.