For the older part of the radiocarbon dating range, the IntCal13 curve provides the “state of the art” for terrestrial calibration based on all available data. It is constructed from different records, each of which by themselves could be used as a “comparison tool,” depending on the research objectives. This paper discusses the pros and cons of different approaches that can be taken when using 14C dates from this time range where the agreement amongst the underlying data sets is poorer than in other time periods. The discussion is illustrated with example calibrations against IntCa09, IntCal13, and comparisons to the Suigetsu record. The examples and discussion arc aimed at users of terrestrial 14C dates, in particular Upper Paleolithic archaeologists and those working with environmental terrestrial materials in the same time range.
