Radiocarbon Dating in Eastern Arctic Archaeology: A Flexible Approach

1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Hanford Arundale
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Flexible Approach ◽  
Arctic Archaeology ◽  
Radiocarbon Chronology

Radiocarbon dates from marine mammal tissue present Arctic archaeologists with some difficult interpretive problems. These problems are so serious that McGhee and Tuck have even advocated omitting all sea mammal dates from the Eastern Arctic radiocarbon chronology. A flexible approach to interpreting sea mammal dates will allow researchers to use existing dates more effectively and to make future dates more reliable. Solving the problems with sea mammal dates requires: (1) abandoning the assumption that radiocarbon assays are quasi-absolute chronological indicators; (2) recognizing and understanding the sources of variability that affect these dates; (3) correcting for these sources of variability; and (4) developing a more flexible strategy for interpreting the resulting date sequence. A large table of radiocarbon dates from the Eastern Arctic provides the basis for demonstrating how these four steps can be accomplished. Applying this flexible approach also suggests directions and guidelines for future research.

AMS Radiocarbon Dating of Lake Michigan Beach-Ridge and Dune Development

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Lichter
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Lake Level ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Beach Ridge ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Beach Ridges ◽  
Ams Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Climate Fluctuations ◽  
Radiocarbon Chronology

Strandplains of shore-parallel beach ridges bordering the Great Lakes are valuable for reconstructing histories of climate-related lake-level fluctuations. However, imprecise radiocarbon dates of ridge formation have frustrated development of dependable chronologies from which information about variation in the frequency of ridge formation and inferred climate fluctuations can be obtained. The resolution and precision of radiocarbon chronologies can be improved with AMS 14C dates of roots and rhizomes of plant species associated with the formation and growth of the sand-dune caps of breach ridges. These dates reliably estimate the timing of shore progradation when the base of the previously established beach ridge becomes inundated by the water table. An AMS radiocarbon chronology of beach-ridge formation in northern Lake Michigan shows that information about variation in the frequency of ridge formation is important for paleoclimatic interpretation.

scholarly journals Radiocarbon chronology of the paleolithic modern humans in Eastern Europe, Siberia and East Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-146
Author(s):  
Yaroslav Kuzmin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Western Siberia ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Analytical Review ◽  
Radiocarbon Chronology ◽  
Independent Assessment

The article presents an analytical review of the direct radiocarbon dating of fossils of the modern anatomical humans (Homo sapiens sapiens; H. s. s.) found on the Paleolithic sites of Eastern Europe, Siberia and East Asia, with a brief overview of other regions in Eurasia. While one of the most ancient finds in Eurasia, which has a direct radiocarbon date is the Ust’-Ishim in Western Siberia (age — about 45,000 years); in Eastern Europe, the earliest H. s. s. are Kostenki 14 and Kostenki 1 (age — about 37,400–35,500 years). For a number of finds (such as Kostenki 18 and humans fossils from the Sungir site), there are serious problems that need to be solved with the help of new data. This is particularly clear for the Sungir where 21 radiocarbon dates based on different collagen fractions (bulk collagen; ultrafiltered collagen, and hydroxyproline), have been obtained and dates of the samples taken from the same skeleton often do not match with each other. Methodological issues of radiocarbon dating the bones, and the possibility of an independent assessment of the results obtained, are also considered. When preservation of collagen is good, which can be controlled through a number of parameters, dating of bulk collagen fraction seems to be reliable. Claims that only specific amino acids (such as hydroxyproline) give the only accurate radiocarbon dates for bones have not been strictly proven.

scholarly journals ASSESSING THE CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY OF EL MIRÓN CAVE, CANTABRIAN SPAIN

Radiocarbon ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Rachel J A Hopkins ◽  
Lawrence Guy Straus ◽  
Manuel R González Morales
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Modeling ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Middle Paleolithic ◽  
Faunal Remains ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Modern Period ◽  
Stratigraphic Record ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Taphonomic Processes

ABSTRACT El Mirón is an important archaeological cave site in Cantabria (Spain) with a stratigraphy covering the late Middle Paleolithic to the Modern Period. The Magdalenian levels are especially rich in artifacts, faunal remains, and features, and included the burial of an adult female (“the Red Lady”), as well as other scattered human remains, while the Neolithic levels contained the oldest combined evidence of ceramics, domesticated grain and livestock in the region. However, in the absence of diagnostic artifacts in many levels that would always provide a traditional cultural chronology, radiocarbon dating has been essential in understanding the temporal framework for human activity at the site. Over the duration of more than two decades, the El Mirón Project has therefore obtained 93 radiocarbon dates, which cover the entire stratigraphic record as found in several different excavation areas. In light of the considerable methodological advances that radiocarbon dating has seen since 1996 we aim to evaluate the reliability of the published 14C record for El Mirón Cave, and to improve the accuracy of the radiocarbon based chronostratigraphy through Bayesian modeling. The results shed light on which dates may be used for future research and where dating discrepancies reflect taphonomic processes, thereby advancing intra-site and regional archaeological comparisons.

New Insights into the Radiocarbon Chronology of Iberian Megalithic Societies: The tholos-type Tombs of Mojácar (Almería, Spain)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Aranda Jiménez ◽  
María Dolores Camalich Massieu ◽  
Dimas Martín Socas ◽  
Marta Díaz-Zorita Bonilla ◽  
Derek Hamilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Bayesian Framework ◽  
Sacred Landscape ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Funerary Rituals ◽  
Radiocarbon Chronology

In 2012, the authors undertook a radiocarbon dating programme to explore the chronology of southern Iberian megalithic societies. Thirty new radiocarbon dates were obtained for two tholos-type tombs, Loma de Belmonte and Loma del Campo 2, and analysed within a Bayesian framework. Results are discussed in the context of the prehistoric societies of the region and four main conclusions were reached: i) in both tombs, mortuary activity started in the last century of the fourth millennium although with significant differences in their timespan; ii) funerary rituals ended in Loma de Belmonte at least five centuries later than in Loma del Campo 2; iii) the tholoi can be considered the most recent type of tomb compared to other megalithic monuments with mortuary activity beginning in the first centuries of the fourth millennium; iv) the largest and most prominent settlement of the region, Las Pilas, was closely associated with this funerary and sacred landscape.

scholarly journals Direct dating reveals the early history of opium poppy in western Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Salavert ◽  
Antoine Zazzo ◽  
Lucie Martin ◽  
Ferran Antolín ◽  
Caroline Gauthier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Opium Poppy ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Macrobotanical Remains ◽  
History Of ◽  
Temperate Europe ◽  
Radiocarbon Chronology ◽  
Botanical Remains

AbstractThis paper aims to define the first chrono-cultural framework on the domestication and early diffusion of the opium poppy using small-sized botanical remains from archaeological sites, opening the way to directly date minute short-lived botanical samples. We produced the initial set of radiocarbon dates directly from the opium poppy remains of eleven Neolithic sites (5900–3500 cal BCE) in the central and western Mediterranean, northwestern temperate Europe, and the western Alps. When possible, we also dated the macrobotanical remains originating from the same sediment sample. In total, 22 samples were taken into account, including 12 dates directly obtained from opium poppy remains. The radiocarbon chronology ranges from 5622 to 4050 cal BCE. The results show that opium poppy is present from at least the middle of the sixth millennium in the Mediterranean, where it possibly grew naturally and was cultivated by pioneer Neolithic communities. Its dispersal outside of its native area was early, being found west of the Rhine in 5300–5200 cal BCE. It was introduced to the western Alps around 5000–4800 cal BCE, becoming widespread from the second half of the fifth millennium. This research evidences different rhythms in the introduction of opium poppy in western Europe.

Calibrated Radiocarbon Dating at Keatley Creek: The Chronology of Occupation at a Complex Hunter-Gatherer Village

2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Prentiss ◽  
Michael Lenert ◽  
Thomas A. Foor ◽  
Nathan B. Goodale ◽  
Trinity Schlegel
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Climatic Warming ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Population Aggregation ◽  
Selective Environment

This paper provides an analysis of radiocarbon dates acquired during earlier and recent field seasons at the Keatley Creek site, southern British Columbia. Results indicate that early occupations predating 1900 cal. B.P. occurred, but were not likely associated with population aggregation and large housepits. The aggregated village appears to have emerged by approximately 1700 cal. B.P. and was abandoned at approximately 800 cal. B.P. A break in the occupational sequence is recognized at 1450-1350 cal. B.P. and one other short break may have occurred shortly after 1250 cal. B.P. Peak socioeconomic complexity appears to have been achieved between 1350 and 800 cal B.P. Climatic warming may have provided a selective environment favoring population aggregation and intensification during this time. The final abandonment of the Keatley Creek village appears to have been part of a regional phenomenon suggesting the possibility that climatic factors were important in this case as well.

scholarly journals Paleoclimatic Implications of Radiocarbon Dating Of Speleothems from the Cracow-Wieluń Upland, Southern Poland

Radiocarbon ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Pazdur ◽  
Mieczysław F. Pazdur ◽  
Jacek Pawlyta ◽  
Andrzej Górny ◽  
Michał Olszewski
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Study ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Karst Region ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Last Glaciation ◽  
Geological Museum ◽  
Paleoclimatic Records ◽  
Age Range

We report preliminary results of a long-term systematic study intended to gather paleoclimatic records from precisely dated speleothems. The research project is limited to speleothems deposited in caves of the Cracow-Wieluń Upland, the largest and best-explored karst region in Poland, covering ca. 2900 km2 with >1000 caves. Speleothem samples were selected from collections of the Geological Museum of the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy in Cracow. Radiocarbon dates of these samples from ca. 45–20 ka bp almost exactly coincide with age range of the Interplenivistulian. A break in speleothem formation between ca. 20 and 10 ka bp may be interpreted as a result of serious climatic deterioration associated with the maximum extent of the last glaciation. We observed differences among 14C, U/Th and AAR dating results. Changes of δ13C and δ18O in speleothems that grew between ca. 30 and 20 ka bp may be interpreted as changes of paleoclimatic conditions.

scholarly journals Radiocarbon Chronology of Late Neolithic Settlements in the Tisza-Maros Region, Hungary

Radiocarbon ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 859-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ede Hertelendi ◽  
Ferenc Horváth
Keyword(s):  
Late Neolithic ◽  
Unique Type ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Radiocarbon Data ◽  
Stratigraphic Position ◽  
European Neolithic ◽  
Radiocarbon Chronology ◽  
Developmental Phases

We investigated chronological questions of five Late Neolithic settlements in the Hungarian Tisza-Maros region. Fifty new radiocarbon dates provide an internal chronology for the developmental phases of the tell settlements, and place them into the wider framework of the southeastern European Neolithic. An example is presented of how a unique type of stratigraphic excavation helps the interpretation of radiocarbon data, which are in contradiction with the stratigraphic position of the samples.

Radiocarbon dates from Fazzan, southern Libya

2002 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 9-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mattingly ◽  
David Edwards ◽  
John Dore
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
Important Conclusion ◽  
Historic Period ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Full List ◽  
Ams Dating ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Early Islamic

AbstractThis short paper presents a full list of the currently available radiocarbon dates from the work of Charles Daniels in the 1960s-1970s and the Fazzan Project (1997-2001). The dates can be grouped into several categories, by site or area, and demonstrate the potential of radiocarbon dating being applied to historic-period archaeology in the Sahara. This complements earlier Italian work on later prehistory. One of the most important conclusions to emerge is that the construction of castle-like buildings in Fazzan began within the Garamantian period and that some of the numerous well-preserved mudbrick fortified sites are thus rather earlier than has previously been envisaged. A second important conclusion is that the use of AMS dating can help to identify and confirm activity of the post-Garamantian and early Islamic phases, which has hitherto been elusive.

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