UThwigl - An R package for closed- and open-system uranium-thorium dating

For several decades, uranium-thorium (U-Th) dating has allowed geochronologists to precisely date geological materials, providing invaluable geochronological constraints on Quaternary processes. Open-system dating of bones and teeth has also provided ages of human and faunal remains of archaeological significance. To facilitate access to closed-and open-system U-Th dating to the broad scientific community, here we provide an R package, named UThwigl. Description of input and output parameters is given, as well as a guide for running the model. The package can be used three different ways: (i) as a web application, (ii) through a web browser with an internet connection, or (iii) in R (most efficiently with RStudio). Examples of application of the model are also provided, showing that it yields ages within error of previously published values.

Automated summary

For several decades, uranium-thorium (U-Th) dating has been used to precisely date geological materials, providing valuable constraints on Quaternary processes. This method is also applicable to dating human and faunal remains of archaeological significance. The UThwigl R package offers a convenient way for the scientific community to access closed-and open-system U-Th dating, with input/output parameters and model running guides provided.Examples show that the model yields ages consistent with previously published values.