Notes on iron IIA ¹⁴C Dates from tell el-qudeirat (Kadesh Barnea)

Short-lived samples from an iron Age IIA context at Tell el-Qudeirat in northeastern Sinai, identified by many with biblical Kadesh Barnea, were subjected to radiocarbon dating. The results indicate dates that are very high—even higher than those currently adhered to by proponents of the 'high' iron Age chronology. These dates were obtained after independent measuring in three radiocarbon laboratories. Repeated ¹⁴C intercomparisons, in this case and others, have demonstrated that apparent inconsistencies in the dates offered for archaeological facies cannot be attributed to measurement error or bias. Answers must be sought elsewhere.