RADIOCARBON-DATES FOR THE CADBURY MASSACRE

The excavation of the SW gate at Cadbury Castle revealed evidence for a massacre of the inhabitants by Roman troops (Alcock, 1972, 105-7; 170-2). On historical grounds, a date AD 45 to 61 is indicated. Charred timber and grain from the massacre level yielded samples for radiocarbon assay. This article includes discussion of the cumulative radiocarbon data for the site and, from this specific application, draws conclusions and recommendations which are considered relevant to the general use of radiocarbon dates in archaeology. John A. Campbell is a research student working with Murdoch S. Baxter, Director of the Glasgow University C14 dating laboratory. Leslie Alcock is Professor of Archaeology in the University of Glasgow. © 1979, Antiquity Publications Ltd. All rights reserved.