RADIOCARBON VS. LUMINESCENCE DATING OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL CERAMICS IN THE SOUTHERN ANDES: A REVIEW OF PAIRED DATES, BAYESIAN MODELS, AND A PILOT STUDY

Radiocarbon ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Erik J Marsh ◽  
Antti Korpisaari ◽  
Sebastián Puerto Mundt ◽  
Alejandra Gasco ◽  
Víctor Durán
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Bayesian Models ◽  
Luminescence Dating ◽  
Northern Chile ◽  
Independent Data ◽  
Southern Andes ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Archaeological Ceramics ◽  
Dating Methods ◽  
Early Success

ABSTRACT Archaeologists have been using luminescence to date pottery in South America since the late 1970s, inspired by early success in northern Chile. However, luminescence dates have not been rigorously compared to independent dating methods, which this paper’s goal. First, we present a compilation of 94 paired 14C and luminescence dates from the southern Andes, which reveals discrepancies across a range of contexts and ages. Second, we compare two Bayesian models of sets of 14C and thermoluminescence (TL) dates from three ceramic styles in the Azapa Valley, Chile, and the Inca occupation of Mendoza, Argentina. We find that only the 14C models produce results that agree with expectations based on independent data. Third, we present results from a pilot study in Mendoza that dated 6 sherds with 3 luminescence methods each and closely associated 14C dates. The reasons for disagreement between methods remain unclear, but Andean sediments with low and unstable luminescence sensitivity seem to be an important factor. Even though some luminescence ages are accurate, the clear trend of inconsistent results leads us to recommend that archaeologists use 14C rather than luminescence dates to build cultural chronologies.

Multi-proxy studies of the Late Glacial fluvio-aeolian succession in the type site Mierzyn, central Poland 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moska Piotr ◽  
Sokołowski Robert ◽  
Jary Zdzisław ◽  
Zieliński Paweł ◽  
Raczyk Jerzy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Late Glacial ◽  
Luminescence Dating ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Central Poland ◽  
Depositional Processes ◽  
Dating Methods ◽  
Absolute Dating ◽  
Absolute Age ◽  
Pedogenic Processes

<p>Multi-proxy studies (including sedimentological, pedological, radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating methods) were used to establish origin and chronology of depositional processes in the type section Mierzyn, central Poland. The investigated key site is located in the extraglacial zone of the Last Glaciation, ca. 130 km to the south from the Last Glacial Maximum in the Luciąża river valley area. In the studied profile (16 m thick) two lithofacial complexes were identified. The lower, fluvio-aeolian complex consists of silty-sandy sediments (1.6 m) deposited. The final phase of fluvio-aeolian deposition is expressed by initial pedogenic processes. Above is located aeolian complex (13 m of thickness). Three aeolian units are separated by two palaeosols.</p><p>To establish stratigraphic framework of depositional and pedogenic processes, four samples for radiocarbon dating from palaeosols and twelve samples for OSL dating from sandy units were collected. The obtained results reveal very good agreement of both absolute dating methods. It led to reconstruct chronology of main palaeoenvironmental changes. The fluvio-aeolian complex and the lowermost part of aeolian complex (below the lower palaeosol) were deposited in the Oldest Dryas in relatively cool and dry climate conditions. The amelioration of climate in the Bølling interstadial caused development of pedogenic processes expressed by 0.3 m thick palaeosol. Main part of aeolian complex (10 m of thickness) was deposited in the Older Dryas. The upper palaeosol developed in the Allerød interstadial as a result of the next amelioration of the climate. During the Younger Dryas was deposited the uppermost part of aeolian complex.</p><p>Classic development of fluvial to- aeolian succession in the Mierzyn site as well as detailed chronology based on two independent absolute age methods reveal that it can be treated as stratotype for the Late Glacial and correlated with other type sections in the Central and Western Europe.</p><p><strong>Ackowledgments</strong></p><p>Presented results were obtained with support of Polish National Science Centre, contract number 2018/30/E/ST10/00616.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals The archaeomagnetic field recorded in ancient kiln walls in Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai

2021 ◽  
Vol 2145 (1) ◽  
pp. 012049
Author(s):  
R Supakulopas
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Confidence Limit ◽  
Field Model ◽  
Luminescence Dating ◽  
Human History ◽  
Earth’S Magnetic Field ◽  
Argon Dating ◽  
Dating Methods ◽  
Earth's Magnetic Field ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Archaeological dating is crucial in archaeology as it is a key to understand human history. However, traditional dating methods used by archaeologists such as potassium-argon dating and luminescence dating can provide ambiguous age results, e.g., argon loss during the dating returns young apparent ages. Therefore, I plan to establish an archaeomagnetic secular variation (ASV) curve to resolve this problem and use the ASV curve as an alternative tool to date archaeological artefacts. However, archaeomagnetic data in Thailand are absent from literature. Therefore, the ASV curve cannot be constructed from the archaeomagnetic data for this locality. To provide archaeomagnetic data to construct the ASV curve, the directions of the Earth’s magnetic field recorded in kiln walls from Ban Ko Noi (KN123, age 1,370 ± 100 A.D.), Si Satchanalai were measured. The mean declination and inclination of 49.6° and 32.6° with 95% confidence limit of 5.4° were determined from 10 samples from kiln KN123. Mean directions from this study were also compared with the directions of the Earth’s magnetic field in Thailand during 1,370 A.D. from the global archaeomagnetic field model ARCH3k.1. Declination and inclination from this study show significant departure from the field predicted by the ARCH3k.1 model.

scholarly journals Dating the First Australians

Radiocarbon ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
Luminescence Dating ◽  
Australian Region ◽  
Dating Methods ◽  
Age Range

The dating of selected archaeological and megafaunal sites from the Australian region is reviewed, with emphasis on recent work at some of the oldest sites. Improved chemical procedures with decreased analytical background for 14C analysis, combined with new luminescence dating methods, has confirmed many of the results processed decades ago and significantly increased the maximum age for some others. The oldest occupation horizons in four different regions reliably dated by defendable multi-method results are in the range 42–48,000 calendar years ago, overlapping with the age range for similarly well-dated undisturbed sites containing the youngest extinct megafauna. There is less secure evidence suggesting some archaeology may be earlier and some megafauna may have survived later than this period.

Towards a better understanding of Xenophyllum esquilachense (Senecioneae, Compositae), a poorly known Andean species

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 382 (3) ◽  
pp. 288 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOEL CALVO ◽  
MÉLICA MUÑOZ-SCHICK ◽  
ANDRÉS MOREIRA-MUÑOZ
Keyword(s):  
Northern Chile ◽  
Southern Andes ◽  
Southern Peru ◽  
Dichotomous Key ◽  
First Time

Xenophyllum esquilachense is a poorly known Andean species that was hitherto considered endemic to southern Peru. It is recorded for the first time from Bolivia and northern Chile, and the name Senecio pfisteri is synonymized with it. New insights on its global occurrence, ecology, and taxonomy are provided, as well as pictures of living plants and an updated dichotomous key to the Xenophyllum species from southern Andes.

Urns, Bowls, and Ollas: Pottery-Making Practices and Technical Identity in the Southern Andes During the Late Period (ca. A.D. 900—A.D. 1450) (Catamarca, Northwestern Argentine Region, Argentina)

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo A. De La Fuente
Keyword(s):  
Raw Materials ◽  
Archaeological Research ◽  
Late Period ◽  
Pottery Production ◽  
Southern Andes ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Northwestern Argentina ◽  
Archaeological Ceramics ◽  
Large Sample

AbstractThis paper presents studies and discussions of pottery-making practices during the Late period (ca. A.D. 900—1450) in Northwestern Argentina. It stems from an extensive archaeological research project carried out in the middle sector of the Abaucán Valley, Province of Catamarca, Argentina. Pottery production during this period is evaluated through the study of technological choices and technical identity, as well as its relationship to the technical behaviors developed by potters. The analysis of a large sample of ceramic sherds, complete vessels, and overfired sherds indicates that the potters produced a very narrow repertoire of ceramic forms (bowls, urns, and ollas) using local raw materials and technology, the latter with a strong hold in the area. Pottery production during the Late period was carried out in household contexts, becoming increasingly intensified and concentrated with the appearance of Inkas in the region. Additionally, some ideas are discussed concerning the technological choices of ancient potters during this period, and the implications for technological studies in archaeological ceramics.

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