Fiona Petchey

My research involves the application of radiocarbon techniques to the improvement of archaeological chronologies by the joint investigation of site taphonomy combined with sample-specific radiocarbon (C-14) effects in shell and bone caused by diet and environmental conditions. This research is based on the premise that isotopic analysis, combined with geographic, archaeological, and metabolic information, can help disentangle the mix of C-14 from terrestrial and marine sources. My research has involved studies from across the globe, including dating rock art sites in Australia, Neolithic burials from Portugal, Iron Age burials in the UK, and Lapita age sites in Fiji, Samoa, New Britain, Saipan, and Vanuatu.