scholarly journals Redating of the To’aga site (Ofu Island, Manu’a) and a revised chronology for the Lapita to Polynesian Plainware transition in Tonga and Samoa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Petchey ◽  
Patrick V. Kirch
Keyword(s):  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
C Cycle ◽  
Tropical Conditions ◽  
Coastal Beach ◽  
Drift Wood ◽  
Old Trees

AbstractRadiocarbon dating Pacific archaeological sites is fraught with difficulties. Often situated in coastal beach ridges or sand dunes, sites exhibit horizontal and vertical disturbances, while datable materials such as wood charcoal are typically highly degraded, or derived from old trees or drift wood and bone collagen rarely survives in the tropical conditions. Shell, therefore, is the most logical material for dating Pacific sites since it is resistant to alteration, can be sampled to ensure only the last few seasons of growth are represented and is often closely tied to human economic activities. However, shell radiocarbon (14C) dating has been plagued by interpretive problems largely due to our limited knowledge of the 14C cycle in near shore marine and estuarine environments. Consequently, shell dates are typically ignored in regional chronometric evaluations and often avoided for dating altogether. Recent advances in our understanding of the source of shell 14C content as well as the development of the first South Pacific Gyre model of changing marine 14C over time, combined with Bayesian statistical modelling, have now provided us with insight into the value of these shell radiocarbon dates, enabling a revision of the age of the To’aga site on Ofu Island, an early occupation site associated with the initial Polynesian Plainware period in Samoa, the earliest use of which is now dated to between 2782 and 2667 cal BP.

scholarly journals Freshwater reservoir offsets on radiocarbon-dated dog bone from the headwaters of the St. Lawrence River, USA

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7174
Author(s):  
John P. Hart ◽  
Robert S. Feranec ◽  
Timothy J. Abel ◽  
Jessica L. Vavrasek
Keyword(s):  
Native Americans ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Dog Bone ◽  
Freshwater Reservoir ◽  
St Lawrence River

Isotopic analysis of dog (Canis lupus familiaris) bone recovered from archaeological sites as proxies for human bone is becoming common in North America. Chronological placement of the dogs is often determined through radiocarbon dating of dog bone. The Great Lakes, their tributaries, and nearby lakes and streams were important fisheries for Native Americans prior to and after sustained European presence in the region. Carbon entering the food web in freshwater systems is often not in full isotopic equilibrium with the atmosphere, giving rise to spuriously old radiocarbon ages in fish, other aquatic organisms, and their consumers. These freshwater reservoir offsets (FROs) have been noted on human and dog bone in several areas of the world. Here we report the results of multi-tracer Bayesian dietary modeling using δ15N and δ13C values on dog bone collagen from mid-fifteenth to mid-sixteenth-century Iroquoian village sites at the headwaters of the St. Lawrence River, New York, USA. Results indicate that fish was an important component of dog diets. A comparison of radiocarbon dates on dog bone with dates on deer bone or maize from the same sites indicate FROs ranging from 97 ± 24 to 220 ± 39 14Cyr with a weighted mean of 132 ± 8 14Cyr. These results suggest that dog bone should not be used for radiocarbon dating in the absence of modeling to determine fish consumption and that previously reported radiocarbon dates on human bone from the larger region are likely to have FROs given the known importance of fish in regional human diets.

Discontinuity in the Fijian Archaeological Record Supported by a Bayesian Radiocarbon Model

Radiocarbon ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 295-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
David V Burley ◽  
Kevan Edinborough
Keyword(s):  
Culture Change ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Archaeological Record ◽  
Population Replacement ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Sequential Model ◽  
Southwest Coast

The Fijian archaeological record is segmented into a series of phases based on distinctive transformations in ceramic forms. Interpretations of the mid-sequence (∼1500–1300 cal BP) transition between the Fijian Plainware phase and the Navatu phase are contentious, with alternative explanations of population replacement versus internal processes of culture change. We present and analyze a series of Fijian Plainware and Navatu phase AMS radiocarbon dates acquired from superimposed but stratigraphically separated occupation floors at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes site on the southwest coast of Viti Levu. Employing an OxCal Bayesian sequential model, we seek to date the temporal span for each occupation as well as the interval of time occurring between occupation floors. The latter is estimated to be 0–43 calendar years at 2σ probability. The magnitude of ceramic and other differences between the Fijian Plainware and Navatu phase occupations at Sigatoka is substantive. We conclude that the abruptness of this change can be explained only by exogenous replacement at the Sigatoka site.

scholarly journals Erosion problems of shore line and counter measurement by various geomaterials

2019 ◽  
Vol 265 ◽  
pp. 01010
Author(s):  
Eun Chul Shin ◽  
Sung Hwan Kim ◽  
Abdul Hakam ◽  
Bambang Istijono
Keyword(s):  
High Tide ◽  
Storm Surges ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Coastal Structures ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Natural Rock ◽  
Sea Sand ◽  
Coastal Beach ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Erosion Protection

Coastal regions are vulnerable to erosion and depletion of land areas for human habitation and economic activities. A description of various types of the hydraulic structures associated in erosion protection applications are provided. Recently, because of the shortage of natural rock, traditional forms of river and coastal structures have become very expensive to build and maintain. Therefore, the materials used in hydraulic and coastal structures are changing from the traditional rubble and concrete systems to the cheaper materials and systems. Erosion problems in coastal zones are become increasingly serious due to the development of artificial activities related to the expansion of city functions, industrial complexes and harbour facilities, as well as the removal of sea sand for use in aggregate resources at the construction sites, which is a major factor in the inflow and outflow of sea sand. In addition, the environmental and economical importance of the coastal beach zones is increased. However, coastal beach zones are constantly eroded by waves accompanied with the rising water level due to storm surges, hurricanes, winter storm impact, and high tide. This erosion motion accelerates the regression of the coastal cliff due to the regression of the dunes or the shoreline. In addition, the regression leads to loss of real estate in the hinterland and ruins the shock-absorbing zone between land and sea. The application benefits for erosion protection are discussed. Several case studies are included.

Radiocarbon Evidence for Initial Early Formative Period Occupation in Coastal Oaxaca, Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy David Hepp
Keyword(s):  
Formative Period ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Middle Formative ◽  
Early Formative

Seven AMS radiocarbon dates (1950–1525 cal BC) from controlled contexts demonstrate Early Formative period occupation in coastal Oaxaca, Mexico. These dated elements from the site of La Consentida include hearths, occupational surfaces, carbon adhering to pottery from a midden, and human bone collagen processed with XAD purification. They were excavated from primary contexts and do not represent redeposited materials. An eighth sample, dated to the Middle Formative period, is considered postoccupational. The diversity of dated deposits and features, their distribution, and their overlapping calibrated ranges indicate settlement by an initial Early Formative period village.

Pollen Diagram from the Nebraska Sandhills and the Age of the Dunes

1985 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Wright ◽  
J. C. Almendinger ◽  
J. Grüger
Keyword(s):  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Dune Sand ◽  
Last Glacial Period ◽  
Pollen Diagram ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Swan Lake ◽  
Nebraska Sandhills ◽  
Prairie Vegetation ◽  
The Last Glacial

Radiocarbon dates of organic alluvium beneath as much as 40 m of dune sand along the Dismal River have led to the suggestion that the Nebraska Sandhills date from the Holocene rather than the last glacial period. On the other hand, the basal layers of lake and marsh deposits in interdune depressions at three localities date in the range of 9000 to 12,000 yr B.P., implying a pre-Holocene age for the sand dunes. A pollen diagram for one of these sites, Swan Lake, indicates prairie vegetation throughout the last 9000 yr, with no suggestion that the landscape was barren enough to permit the shaping of the massive dunes characterizing the area. Sand was not transported across the site during the Holocene, either during the marsh phase, which lasted until 3700 yr B.P., or during the subsequent lake phase. The sand that buries the alluvium along the Dismal River may represent only local eolian activity, or it may indicate that the younger of the two main dune series identified by H. T. U. Smith (1965, Journal of Geology 73, 557–578) is Holocene in age, and the older one Late Wisconsin in age.

Fish Otoliths as Indicators of Seasonality in Prehistoric Shell Middens: the Evidence from Oronsay (Inner Hebrides)

1980 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 19-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Mellars ◽  
M. R. Wilkinson ◽  
N. R. J. Fieller
Keyword(s):  
Single Species ◽  
Fish Bone ◽  
Faunal Remains ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Total Fish ◽  
Chief Interest

The samples to be discussed in this paper derive from a series of late Mesolithic shell-midden sites on the island of Oronsay in the Inner Hebrides. Despite the small size of the island (less than six square kilometres) at least six separate middens have now been identified on Oronsay, of which all except one are located along the south-east-facing coast of the island (fig. 1). Radiocarbon dates ranging from 3695 ± 80 to 3200 ± 380 bc have been obtained on samples of charcoal from the middens, and point to a considerable measure of chronological overlap in the occupation of the different sites (Mellars 1978).Archaeologically, the chief interest of these sites lies in the excellent conditions for the preservation of faunal remains, which provides a unique insight into the economic activities of coastal-living groups shortly before the appearance of formally ‘Neolithic’ communities in northern Britain. In addition to a wide range of molluscan, mammalian and bird remains, the sites have yielded exceptionally large numbers of fish bones. While the total range of fish exploited from the sites is impressive (comprising at least 12 species), analysis has shown that by far the major emphasis in the fishing activities was placed on the exploitation of a single species—the saithe or coalfish (Pollachius virens L.). In all the samples so far analysed this species accounts for at least 95 per cent of the total fish-bone material, and in many of the samples it is the only species represented.

scholarly journals Stones, Bones, and Hillfort: Radiocarbon Dating of ķivutkalns Bronze-Working Center

Radiocarbon ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 1252-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Oinonen ◽  
A Vasks ◽  
G Zarina ◽  
M Lavento
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Bone Material ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Animal Bone ◽  
Archaeological Artifacts

The Bronze Age site of ķivutkalns with its massive amount of archaeological artifacts and human remains is considered the largest bronze-working center in Latvia. The site is a unique combination of cemetery and hillfort believed to be built on top of each other. This work presents new radiocarbon dates on human and animal bone collagen that somewhat challenge this interpretation. Based on analyses using a Bayesian modeling framework, the present data suggest overlapping calendar year distributions for the contexts within the 1st millennium BC. The carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios indicate mainly terrestrial dietary habits of studied individuals and nuclear family remains buried in one of the graves. The older charcoal data may be subject to the old-wood effect and the results are partly limited by the limited amount of data and the 14C calibration curve plateau of the 1st millennium BC. Therefore, the ultimate conclusions on contemporaneity of the cemetery and hillfort need to wait for further analyses on the massive amounts of bone material.

The Holland Paleosol: an informal pedostratigraphic unit in the coastal dunes of southeastern Lake Michigan

2004 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1385-1400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan F Arbogast ◽  
Randall J Schaetzl ◽  
Joseph P Hupy ◽  
Edward C Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Buried Soils ◽  
Coastal Sand Dunes ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Sand Supply ◽  
Buried Soil ◽  
Coastal Sand

A very prominent buried soil crops out in coastal sand dunes along an ~200 km section of the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan. This study is the first to investigate the character of this soil — informally described here as the Holland Paleosol — by focusing on six sites from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore north to Montague, Michigan. Most dunes in this region are large (>40 m high) and contain numerous buried soils that indicate periods of reduced sand supply and comcomitant stabilization. Most of these soils are buried in the lower part of the dunes and are thin Entisols. The soil described here, in contrast, is relatively well developed, is buried in the upper part of many dunes, and formed by podzolization under forest vegetation. Radiocarbon dates indicate that this soil formed between ~3000 and 300 calibrated years BP. Pedons of the Holland Paleosol range in development from thick Entisols (Regosols) with A–Bw–BC–C horizonation to weakly developed Spodosols (Podzols) with A–E–Bs–Bw–BC–C profiles. Many profiles have overthickened and (or) stratified A horizons, indicative of slow and episodic burial. Differences in development are mainly due to paleolandscape position and variations in paleoclimate among the sites. The Holland Paleosol is significant because it represents a relatively long period of landscape stability in coastal dunes over a broad (200 km) area. This period of stability was concurrent with numerous fluctuations in Lake Michigan. Given the general sensitivity of coastal dunes to prehistoric lake-level fluctuations, the soil may reflect a time when the lake shore was farther west than it is today. The Holland Paleosol would probably qualify as a formal pedostratigraphic unit if it were buried by a formal lithostratgraphic or allostratigraphic unit.

scholarly journals Role of Economy as Social Institution in Cholistan Desert

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-232
Author(s):  
Aisha Shoukat ◽  
Muhammad Jafar ◽  
Inam Ullah Wattoo
Keyword(s):  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Social Institution ◽  
Native People ◽  
Local People ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
The People

Cholistan is the second largest desert of Pakistan with semi-nomadic culture. Based on its landscape, Cholistan is divided into two parts, i.e., Greater and Lesser Cholistan. This study review highlights the economic activities of native people of Cholistan, challenges faced by people and ways to improve the economic standard of native people. Due to its rough terrain, Cholistan is hardly accessible from outside except specialized vehicles. The entire Cholistan is the least populated area and the existing population is scattered among sand dunes. Cholistan is deprived of socio-economic development and hence there is a lack of basic amenities of life such as drinking water, food, education, healthcare and housing. Due to the scarcity of irrigation water and the landscape of Cholistan, there is hardly any possibility of agri-farming and production grains for livelihood. Animal herds are a major source of livelihood and sustenance for the people of Cholistan. Local people own larger herds of cows, camels, goats and sheep, which are vital for survival, i.e., food sources and money for purchasing necessities. Cholistani people do not possess formal education and skills and are unable to avail any job opportunity in the formal sector. As a result, Cholistani people are choiceless except to depend upon animal husbandry. All the family members, including women, participate in animal husbandry and other small scale agri-farming for earning a livelihood. Life is simple, and daily needs of local people are very limited, and economic activities are few in Cholistan. Social institution is playing their role to educate the people and fulfilling the economic needs of the Cholistani people.

scholarly journals Illinois State Geological Survey Radiocarbon Dates V

Radiocarbon ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis D Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Liquid Scintillation ◽  
Geological Survey ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Laboratory Procedures

All samples processed from November 1971 through January 1973 at the Illinois State Geological Survey Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory are reported here. The benzene liquid scintillation technique was used. Laboratory procedures used were the same as those reported by Coleman (1973), with the exceptions that bone collagen was separated by the Longin (1970; 1971) technique and acetylene was trimerized to benzene as described by Coleman, et al (1972).

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