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The accurate dating of prehistoric eruptions is essential for reconstructing volcanic sequences and for preparing volcanic-hazard assessments. The chronology of the eruptions of the Datong volcanic field (DVF) in eastern China has been debated for several decades, especially the start and end of volcanism. Loess sediments incorporated in explosive volcanic products have been described from the Dongpingshan scoria cone in the DVF. We conducted radiocarbon dating of the loess sediments, which produced an age of ~7300 cal yr BP for the Dongpingshan volcanic eruption. This result confirms the eruption of the DVF during the Holocene, and it provides important evidence for assessing volcanic hazards in this densely populated region. The Holocene age of the eruption indicates that DVF is dormant, contrary to previous studies which concluded that the DVF is extinct and that its volcanic eruptions ended at ~100 ka. In addition, this study documents a new method of dating Late Pleistocene to Holocene volcanic eruptions in and around the DVF, where loess sediments are widespread and may be preserved within volcanic products. • Datong is not an extinct volcanic field. • First radiocarbon dating of Datong volcanic field was present. • The most recent eruption of the Datong volcanic field was not older than ~7300 cal a BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]