  The discovery of past spikes in atmospheric radiocarbon activity, caused by
major solar energetic particle events, has opened up new possibilities for
high-precision chronometry. The two spikes, or Miyake Events, have now been
widely identified in tree-rings that grew in the years 775 and 994 CE.
Furthermore, all other plant material that grew in these years would also have
incorporated the anomalously high concentrations of radiocarbon. Crucially,
some plant-based artefacts, such as papyrus documents, timber beams and linen
garments, can also be allocated to specific positions within long, currently
unfixed, historical sequences. Thus, Miyake Events represent a new source of
tie-points that could provide the means for anchoring early chronologies to the
absolute timescale. Here, we explore this possibility, outlining the most
expeditious approaches, the current challenges and obstacles, and how they
might best be overcome.
