Abstract
Carbon‐14 wiggle‐match dating (WMD) of peat deposits uses the non‐linear relationship between 14 C age and calendar age to match the shape of a series of closely spaced peat 14 C dates with the 14 C calibration curve. The method of WMD is discussed, and its advantages and limitations are compared with calibration of individual dates. A numerical approach to WMD is introduced that makes it possible to assess the precision of WMD chronologies. During several intervals of the Holocene, the 14 C calibration curve shows less pronounced fluctuations. We assess whether wiggle‐matching is also a feasible strategy for these parts of the 14 C calibration curve. High‐precision chronologies, such as obtainable with WMD, are needed for studies of rapid climate changes and their possible causes during the Holocene. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.