Learn R Programming

nimbleCarbon

The nimbleCarbon package provides utility functions and bespoke probability distributions for the Bayesian analyses of radiocarbon dates using the NIMBLE framework. The package is particularly suited for demographic inferences based on changing frequencies of radiocarbon dates and enables parameter estimations and model comparison for the following population growth models (see Crema and Shoda 2021 for details):

  • Exponential
  • Logistic
  • Double-Exponential
  • Exponential-Logistic
  • Logistic-Exponential
  • Trapezoidal
  • Asymmetric Laplace

Community contributions of additional growth models and features are welcome. For more information and tutorial please check the vignette.

References

Crema, E. R., & Shoda, S. (2021). A Bayesian approach for fitting and comparing demographic growth models of radiocarbon dates: a case study on the Jomon-Yayoi transition in Kyushu (Japan). PLOS ONE, 16(5), e0251695.

Copy Link

Version

Install

install.packages('nimbleCarbon')

Monthly Downloads

238

Version

0.2.6

License

GPL (>= 2)

Maintainer

Enrico Crema

Last Published

July 29th, 2025

Functions in nimbleCarbon (0.2.6)

plot.spdppc

Plot SPD-based Posterior Predictive Check
interpLin

Linear interpolation function
postPredCor

Calculates correlation between observed and posterior generated SPD.
postHPDplot

Plot Marginal Posterior Distribution
shcal20

IntCal20 radiocarbon age calibration curve for the Southern hemisphere.
compare.models

WAIC-based model comparison
dExponentialLogisticGrowth

Exponential-Logistic Growth Model
dDoubleExponentialGrowth

Double Exponential Growth Model
dLogisticGrowth

Logistic Growth Model
dLogisticExponentialGrowth

Logistic-Exponential Growth Model
agreementIndex

Calculate Agreement Indices.
dTrapezoidal

Trapezoidal Distribution
dLogisticGrowth2

Logistic Growth Model (parametrisation with inflection point)
dAsymLaplace

Asymmetric Laplace Distribution
dExponentialGrowth

Exponential Growth Model
intcal20

IntCal20 radiocarbon age calibration curve for the Northern hemisphere.
postPredSPD

SPD-based Posterior Predictive Check
modelPlot

Plot Growth Models
marine20

Marine20 radiocarbon age calibration curve.