^14C加速器质谱(^14C-AMS)测年技术具有测量精度高、速度快以及样品需求量少的特点,为考古年代学研究提供了一种新的途径。通过对中国考古学中的一些断代难题,例如夏商周断代工程、城头山遗址的环境考古、江西瑞昌铜岭冶铜遗址的^14C-AMS测年分析,以及周原黄土地层学与年代学相结合的研究,总结了^14C-AMS测年技术在提供可靠的年代、解决考古年代学中微量样品的测年难题方面,具有不可替代的优势。指出考古学的研究既要与地层学相结合,更重要的是与现代高灵敏度的测年技术相结合,并认为HC-AMS测年将成为未来中国考古年代学研究的一个重要方向。
^14C-AMS dating provides a new way in archaeology studies because of its precision and speed and applicability in micro-sample dating. This paper first overviews dating difficulties in Chinese archaeological studies,such as ^14C-AMS dating for Xia-Shang-Zhou projects, the environmental archaeology for Chengtoushan and the copper-mine relics in Tongling of Ruichang, Jiangxi Province,and stratigraphic and chronologic studies of the Zhouyuan loess. Based on such analysis,it is confirmed that ^14C-AMS is reliable and supperior in archaeological dating and providing is applicable in solving the difficulties in micro-sample dating. It is suggested that archaeological studies should be intergrated with stratigraphic studies and more importantly with modern and highly sensitive dating technology. It is believed that ^14C-AMS will become an important respect in the Chinese archaeological studies.