A wiggle-match date for Polynesian settlement of New Zealand

Dating initial colonisation and environmental impacts by Polynesians in New Zealand is controversial. A key horizon is provided by the Kaharoa Tephra, deposited from an eruption of Mt Tarawera, because just underneath this layer are the first signs of forest clearance which imply human settlement. The authors used a log of celery pine from within Kaharoa deposits to derive a new precise date for the eruption via “wiggle-matching” – matching the radiocarbon dates of a sequence of samples from the log with the Southern Hemisphere calibration curve. The date obtained was 1314 ± 12 AD (2σ error), and the first environmental impacts and human occupation are argued to have occurred in the previous 50 years, i.e. in the late 13th – early 14th centuries AD. This date is contemporary with earliest settlement dates determined from archaeological sites in the New Zealand archipelago.

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NEW RADIOCARBON DATES FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN PARTS OF IGBOLAND, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/rdc.2021.110 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Kenechukwu Chidiogo Daniel ◽

Anselm Maduabuchi Ibeanu ◽

Jacinta Uchenna Ikegwu ◽

Emuobosa Akpo Orijemie

Keyword(s):

Archaeological Sites ◽

Human Settlement ◽

Human Occupation ◽

Southeastern Nigeria ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

Iron Smelting ◽

Subsistence Patterns ◽

Early Human

ABSTRACT This paper presents new results of radiocarbon (14C) ages from archaeological sites in northern Igboland. The study was designed to shed more light on early human occupation and activities in the study area based on sediments from cave and iron-smelting sites. The approach consisted of ethnographic, archaeological, palynological, and slag analyses; these were complemented with 14C dates. The technology adopted as well as the paleoenvironmental conditions that prevailed during the period of human settlement in both sites was revealed. These data, complemented by 14C dates, highlight the human behavioral and subsistence patterns within the region and are comparable to those from similar sites in southeastern Nigeria.

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Catastrophic seismic-related events and their impact on prehistoric human occupation, coastal New Zealand

Antiquity ◽

10.1017/s0003598x00052856 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 75 (287) ◽

pp. 155-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

J. R. Goff ◽

B. G. McFadgen

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Environmental Impacts ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Seismic Events ◽

Earthquake Activity ◽

Archaeological Research ◽

Human Settlement ◽

Human Occupation ◽

15Th Century ◽

Cook Strait

The catastrophic 1855 AD Wellington earthquake is used to predict likely environmental impacts of earlier seismic events (earthquake and tsunami) that have been reported for the Cook Strait region in the period following first human settlement 700 years ago. Environmental changes around Palliser Bay in prehistoric Maori times, inferred from archaeological research, parallel those that occurred in 1855 AD. We consider that devastation caused by earthquake activity and subsequent tsunami, rather than climatic deterioration invoked previously, precipitated the rapid abandonment of the Palliser Bay coast by human communities in the 15th century AD.

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A ocupação humana antiga (11-7 mil anos atrás) do Planalto Meridional Brasileiro: caracterização geomorfológica, geológica, paleoambiental e tecnológica de sítios arqueológicos relacionados a três distintas indústrias líticas

Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física ◽

10.26848/rbgf.v13.6.p2553-2585 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 2553

Author(s):

Pedro Michelutti Cheliz ◽

João Carlos Moreno de Sousa ◽

Gabriela Sartori Mingatos ◽

Mercedes Okumura ◽

Astolfo Gomes de Mello Araujo

Keyword(s):

Significant Variation ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Archaeological Sites ◽

Data Sets ◽

Human Settlement ◽

Human Occupation ◽

Natural Landscapes ◽

Lithic Artifacts ◽

The Relationship

Com o objetivo de ponderar conexões entre quadros naturais e a ocupação humana pré-colonial, caracterizou-se os artefatos e a contextualização geomorfológica e ambiental de quatro sítios líticos vinculados a antigos registros de grupos caçadores-coletores do sul e sudeste do Brasil, associados a três distintas indústrias líticas. Elencou-se associação dos sítios com terrenos de baixos declives e altimetrias em seus respectivos contextos (terrenos mais estáveis para fixação humana), adjacentes a córregos e próximos de faixas do terreno que registram maiores inclinações e desníveis verticais, mais propensas a apresentarem afloramentos rochosos (fontes potenciais de matérias-primas para a confecção de ferramentas lascadas). Elencou-se fontes de matérias-primas nos entornos de cada sítio e as matérias-primas associadas aos artefatos, e ponderou-se a correlação entre os dois conjuntos de dados. Analisou-se a relação dos padrões tecnológicos de artefatos líticos com a caracterização petrográfica das matérias-primas, verificando-se quais silcretes semelhantes foram usadas para produção de artefatos distintos. Ainda, verificou-se que alguns dos produtos líticos de um dos sítios analisados mostram padrões tecnológicos semelhantes, mesmo quando obtidos a partir de silcretes distintos. Caracterizou-se ausência de variação significativa dos atributos tecnológicos dos artefatos registrados em diferentes posicionamentos verticais nos perfis das unidades de escavação nas quais foram registrados, mesmo quando mostram-se associados a registros paleoambientais distintos (alternâncias entre climas mais secos que os atuais e condições caracterizadas por incrementos de umidade no intervalo de 11 a 7 mil anos atrás).Palavras chave: sítios arqueológicos líticos; Holoceno Inicial, paleoclimas, ameríndios, geoarqueologia The ancient human occupation (11-7 thousand years ago) of the Southern Brazilian Plateau: geomorphological, geological, paleoenvironmental and technological characterization of archaeological sites related to three distinct lithic industries A B S T R A C T In order to discuss connections between the natural landscapes and pre-colonial human occupation, were characterized the artifacts and the geomorphological and environmental contextualization of four lithic sites linked to ancient records of hunter-gatherer groups from the south and southeast of Brazil, associated with three distinct lithic industries. The association of sites with low slopes and altimetry in their respective contexts (more stable terrains for human settlement), adjacent to rivers and close to terrains that register greater inclinations and vertical unevenness, more likely to present rocky outcrops (potential sources of raw materials for making chipped tools) was listed. Were characterized sources of raw materials in the surroundings of each site, the raw materials associated with the artifacts, and the correlation between the two data sets was considered. The relationship between the technological standards of lithic artifacts and the petrographic characterization of the raw materials was analyzed, verifying which similar raw materials were used to produce different artifacts. Also, it was found that some of the lithic products from one of the analyzed sites show similar technological patterns, even when obtained from different raw materials. There was a lack of significant variation in the technological attributes of the artifacts recorded in different vertical positions in the profiles of the excavation units in which they were recorded, even when they are associated with different paleoenvironmental records (alternations between drier climates than current and others characterized by increments in the moisture between 11 to 7 thousand years ago).Keywords: lithic archaeological sites; Initial Holocene, paleoclimates, amerindians, geoarchaeology

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Late Chronology in Hualfín Valley (Catamarca, Argentina): A Revision from 14C Dating

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/rdc.2016.114 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 91-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Federico Wynveldt ◽

Bárbara Balesta ◽

María Emilia Iucci ◽

Celeste Valencia ◽

Gabriela Lorenzo

Keyword(s):

Calibration Curve ◽

Bayesian Models ◽

Archaeological Sites ◽

Late Period ◽

14C Dating ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

Archaeological Material ◽

History Of ◽

Chronological Sequence ◽

Methodological Problems

AbstractThis article addresses chronological problems about archaeological sites traditionally associated with the Belén culture from Hualfín Valley (Catamarca, Argentina), analyzing background research, radiocarbon dates obtained by A Rex González before 1970, and 14C dates made since 1996. First, we critically review the chronological sequence built by González for Belén sites, which include the Late period (AD 1100–1480) and Inca period (AD 1480–1536), subdivided into three phases. Methodological problems that could affect results of the first 14C dates are discussed. Based on this review, we present new 14C dating considering extraction contexts, types of samples, calibration curve data used, the laboratory where each date was obtained, and their methods of measuring, characteristics of sites of origin, and associated archaeological material. Finally, using calibrated ranges and Bayesian models, we suggest groups of events that would correspond to different times in the history of late occupations in the valley.

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Reconstruction of local environments of ancient population in a changeable river valley landscape (The Middle Vychegda River, Northern Russia)

Geochronometria ◽

10.2478/s13386-011-0018-5 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 128-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Victor Karmanov ◽

Natalia Zaretskaya ◽

Andrey Panin ◽

Alexey Chernov

Keyword(s):

Hydrological Regime ◽

River Valley ◽

Archaeological Sites ◽

Oxbow Lakes ◽

Lateral Migration ◽

Human Occupation ◽

Environmental Preferences ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

Local Environments ◽

Northern Russia

Abstract In river valleys, both human occupation and subsequent preservation of archaeological sites are affected by active landscape transformation caused by river lateral migration, incision/aggradation cycles and changes of river hydrological regime. In the middle Vychegda River valley (Northern Russia), there are numerous traces of human presence since the Mesolithic. We exploit multi-disciplinary archaeological, geomorphological and geochronological approach to elucidate the environmental preferences of settlements positioning during different epochs of the Holocene. High resolution space image supplemented with data on alluvial stratigraphy derived from bank exposures and hand cores, as well as 51 radiocarbon dates were used to make the geomorphic map showing ages of floodplain/terrace segments and palaeochannels. Using this map together with sediment facial interpretation, position of archaeological sites was analysed in the context of local geomorphic and hydrologic situation. The majority of archaeological sites and modern settlements are found on terraces at river banks or at oxbow lakes which were well connected to the river. Few exceptions from this rule may be explained by seasonal character of dwelling functioning, ritual burial practice or specialization of settlements. Geomorphic situation was used as a background for planning further prospection of different-age archaeological objects.

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14C Calibration in the Southern Hemisphere and the Date of the Last Taupo Eruption: Evidence from Tree-Ring Sequences

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/s0033822200030599 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 155-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

R. J. Sparks ◽

W. H. Melhuish ◽

J.W. A. McKee ◽

John Ogden ◽

J. G. Palmer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Southern Hemisphere ◽

Northern Hemisphere ◽

Tree Ring ◽

Tree Rings ◽

Calibration Curve ◽

Systematic Difference ◽

Calibration Data ◽

Northern And Southern Hemispheres

Tree rings from a section of Prumnopitys taxifolia (matai) covering the period ad 1335–1745 have been radiocarbon dated and used to generate a 14C calibration curve for southern hemisphere wood. Comparison of this curve with calibration data for northern hemisphere wood does not show a systematic difference between 14C ages measured in the northern and southern hemispheres. A floating chronology covering 270 yr and terminating at the last Taupo (New Zealand) eruption, derived from a sequence of 10-yr samples of tree rings from Phyllocladus trichomanoides (celery pine, or tanekaha), is also consistent with the absence of a systematic north-south difference, and together with the matai data, fixes the date of the Taupo eruption at ad 232 ± 15.

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Population Dynamics and Human Strategies in Northwestern Patagonia

Documenta Praehistorica ◽

10.4312/dp.48.15 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 ◽

pp. 2-21

Author(s):

Gustavo Neme ◽

Marcelo Zárate ◽

María de la Paz Pompei ◽

Fernando Franchetti ◽

Adolfo Gil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Holocene ◽

New Technologies ◽

Probability Distributions ◽

Archaeological Sites ◽

Human Populations ◽

Human Occupation ◽

Stratigraphic Sequence ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

Middle Holocene

In this paper we evaluate the role of human strategies in the Andean Piedmont from northern Patagonia across the Holocene. Specifically, we present the analysis of the Early Holocene-Late Holocene archaeological record of Salamanca cave (Mendoza-Argentina). We identified technological changes that occurred during the Late Holocene and the implications of a human occupation hiatus in the Middle Holocene. We follow a multiproxy approach by the analysis of radiocarbon dates, archaeofaunal remains, ceramic, lithics and XRF obsidian sourcing. We also discuss a detailed stratigraphic sequence by geomorphological descriptions, the construction of a radiocarbon sequence model and summed probability distributions, compared with other archaeological sites in the region. We conclude that after the Middle Holocene archaeological hiatus, human populations grew while guanaco populations dropped. The imbalance between demography and resources boosted the incorporation of new technologies such as ceramics and the bow and arrow, allowing people to exploit lower-ranked resources.

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High-Precision Radiocarbon Measurements of Tree-Ring Dated Wood from New Zealand: 195 Bc–Ad 995

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/s0033822200034639 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 53 (3) ◽

pp. 529-542 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Alan Hogg ◽

Jonathan Palmer ◽

Gretel Boswijk ◽

Chris Turney

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Southern Hemisphere ◽

Calibration Curve ◽

Geographic Location ◽

Temporal Variations ◽

Time Interval ◽

Data Sets ◽

Data Set ◽

Data Points ◽

Lagarostrobos Franklinii

The best means for correcting Southern Hemisphere (SH) radiocarbon measurements, which are significantly influenced by temporal variations in the interhemispheric offset, is by the construction of a SH-specific calibration curve from dendrochronologically dated wood. We present here decadal 14C measurements on dendrochronologically secure New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis), covering the period 195 BC–AD 995, extending the range of calibration measurements from New Zealand tree rings to more than 2 millennia.Recently published Tasmanian huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii) data for the interval 165 BC to AD 1095 measured at the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (CAMS) have underestimated standard errors, which need to be re-assessed before the data can be considered for a Southern Hemisphere calibration curve update. The CAMS huon data, unlike the Waikato kauri data presented here, show a significant reduction in the SH offset for the interval AD 775–855. Although these data points are being checked, it is unlikely this represents a temporal geographic location-dependent offset. With re-assessed errors, the huon data set from 165 BC to AD 995 closely matches the new kauri data, with the combined data sets producing a mean interhemispheric offset with IntCal09 of 44 ± 17 yr for the time interval 195 BC–AD 1845. This SH offset is lower than the modeled offset of 55–58 yr used in the construction of SHCal04, and we recommend the lower value be used in future SHCal updates. Although there is an apparent increase in higher frequency events in the SH offset (NZ kauri plus Tasmanian huon) from 200 BC–AD 1000, the reason for this remains unclear.

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Calibration of Radiocarbon Dates for the Late Pleistocene Using U/Th Dates on Stalagmites

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/s003382220004087x ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 27-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

John C. Vogel ◽

Joel Kronfeld

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Magnetic Dipole ◽

Satisfactory Agreement ◽

Late Pleistocene ◽

Calibration Curve ◽

Dipole Field ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

The Past ◽

The Earth ◽

Magnetic Dipole Field

Twenty paired 14C and U/Th dates covering most of the past 50,000 yr have been obtained on a stalagmite from the Cango Caves in South Africa as well as some additional age-pairs on two stalagmites from Tasmania that partially fill a gap between 7 ka and 17 ka ago. After allowance is made for the initial apparent 14C ages, the age-pairs between 7 ka and 20 ka show satisfactory agreement with the coral data of Bard et al. (1990, 1993). The results for the Cango stalagmite between 25 ka and 50 ka show the 14C dates to be substantially younger than the U/Th dates except at 49 ka and 29 ka, where near correspondence occurs. The discrepancies may be explained by variations in 14C production caused by changes in the magnetic dipole field of the Earth. A tentative calibration curve for this period is offered.

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Paleoenvironmental analysis of wet meadow in the Deseado Massif: Implications for the Holocene occupation of Argentinian Patagonia

The Holocene ◽

10.1177/09596836211025969 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 095968362110259

Author(s):

Bruno Mosquera ◽

María V Mancini

Keyword(s):

Environmental Changes ◽

Low Energy ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Human Occupation ◽

Wet Meadow ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

Sedimentation Environment ◽

Dry Conditions ◽

Paleoenvironmental Analysis ◽

Deseado Massif

Paleoenvironmental data from wet-meadow environments in the arid-semiarid region of Patagonia are still incipient and the paleoenvironmental records came from pollen sequences of caves and rockshelters. The main reasons to study wetland records are their undisturbed (by humans) sedimentologic continuity, in contrast to deposits in rock shelters and caves; and their regional presentation of environmental changes that can be compared to archeological data. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the past hydrological dynamic of a wet-meadow from Deseado Massif and its relationship with the human occupation. For this purpose, we present the results of the sediment and pollen analysis of Mallín La Primavera wet-meadow that provide a sequence starting in the mid-Holocene. The results indicate a lower water table in the mallín prior to 6900 cal yr BP. Sediment analysis indicates low energy sedimentation environment with flood events and very low energy streams. Human occupational data show chronological discontinuities in mid-Holocene in several regions of Patagonia and the southern cone. In the studied region, two chronological hiatuses (7828–6434 cal yr BP and 3005–2710 cal yr BP) where recognized that appear to correlate with shrub steppes, indicating dry conditions. These conditions may explain the lack of archeological radiocarbon dates in the area during this period. The integration of sediment and pollen results from the Deseado Massif indicates dry and windy conditions for the middle Holocene. The lack of archeological radiocarbon dates would have been influenced by the loss of moisture in water sources such as springs and their associated wet meadows ( mallines).

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