Major Revisions in the Pleistocene Age Assignments for North American Human Skeletons by C-14 Accelerator Mass Spectrometry: None Older Than 11,000 C-14 Years B.P.

1985 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Taylor ◽  
L. A. Payen ◽  
C. A. Prior ◽  
P. J. Slota ◽  
R. Gillespie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
North American ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Mass Spectrometric ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Organic Fractions

Radiocarbon analyses by accelerator mass spectrometric (AMS) techniques on organic fractions of human bone from various North American localities previously assigned ages ranging from about 70,000 to 15,000 years B.P. now suggest that none of these skeletons is older than 11,000 C-14 years B.P.

Olenii ostrov: first radiocarbon dates from a major Mesolithic cemetery in Karelia, USSR

Antiquity ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (245) ◽  
pp. 849-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Douglas Price ◽  
Kenneth Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Isotope Evidence ◽  
Organic Fractions ◽  
Mesolithic Period

The first radiocarbon determinations for a large prehistoric cemetery in Karelia, USSR, have been obtained using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) of several organic fractions from prehistoric human bone samples. These determinations suggest an age of c. 7500 b.p. for the burials, definitely within the Mesolithic period. Additional information from skeletal and isotope evidence confirm Olenii ostrov as a very important Mesolithic site in northern Europe.

scholarly journals A Protocol for Radiocarbon Dating Tropical Subfossil Cave Guano

Radiocarbon ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 977-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M Wurster ◽  
Michael I Bird ◽  
Ian Bull ◽  
Charlotte Bryant ◽  
Philippa Ascough
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Saturated Hydrocarbon ◽  
Lipid Fraction ◽  
Bulk Sample ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Organic Fractions ◽  
Age Determinations

We present accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates on several organic fractions isolated from tropical guano deposits recovered from insular Southeast Asia. Differences were observed between 14C measurements made on bulk guano as well as bulk lipids, the saturated hydrocarbon fraction, solvent-extracted guano, and insect cuticles extracted from the same bulk sample. We infer that 14C dates from the bulk lipid fraction and saturated hydrocarbon fractions can be variably contaminated by exogenous carbon. In contrast, 14C measurements on solvent-extracted guano and isolated insect cuticles appear to yield the most robust age determinations.

scholarly journals Neolithic Massacres: Local Skirmishes or General Warfare in Europe?

Radiocarbon ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 377-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Maria Wild ◽  
Peter Stadler ◽  
Annemarie Häußer ◽  
Walter Kutschera ◽  
Peter Steier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Human Remains ◽  
Alternative Interpretation ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Single Event ◽  
Early Neolithic ◽  
Human Bones ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Burial Rite

The Neolithic site of Schletz in Lower Austria comprises a fortified settlement from the end of the Linearbandkeramik (LBK) culture. Large numbers of human bones were found at the base of the fortification ditches, and many of the excavated bones and skulls showed evidence of trauma which most likely originates from violence. This remarkable deposit of human remains has been considered evidence for an abrupt end to the Early Neolithic settlement at Schletz. In order to investigate this interpretation, radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements of human bone samples from this site were performed at VERA. The χ2 test of the results from specimens with clearly identified lesions suggests that these may be contemporaneous. Further, it may be concluded that all individuals with evidence of trauma from Schletz were probably the victims of a single event: a massacre at the end of the LBK.Similar evidence is found at Early Neolithic sites at Talheim and Herxheim in the western part of Germany. Analysis of the 14C ages of bones from both sites suggests that the Talheim event may have been coeval with the massacre of Schletz, whereas an event at Herxheim might have happened some time earlier. For Herxheim, the massacre theory is still under discussion, and a change in the burial rite is also considered as an alternative interpretation.

AMS Radiocarbon Dates from Human Burials at CA-NAP-399, Napa Valley, California, USA

Radiocarbon ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-339
Author(s):  
Tsim D Schneider ◽  
John Holson ◽  
Lori D Hager ◽  
Samantha S Schell ◽  
Lucian N Schrader
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Napa Valley ◽  
Napa County ◽  
Human Burials

This article presents a set of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates derived from human bone within burial contexts at CA-NAP-399 in Napa County, California, USA.

AMS Radiocarbon Dating of Preclassic Maya Burials at Cuello, Belize

1991 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 514-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupert A. Housley ◽  
Norman Hammond ◽  
Ian A. Law
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Ams Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Preclassic Maya

The use of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) on human bone from early Maya burials at Cuello, Belize provides direct dating of the Preclassic population, and assists resolution of the chronological problems discussed by Andrews and Hammond (1990).

Radiocarbon and Stratigraphic Chronology of Canímar Abajo, Matanzas, Cuba

Radiocarbon ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 755-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana Roksandic ◽  
William Mark Buhay ◽  
Yadira Chinique de Armas ◽  
Roberto Rodríguez Suárez ◽  
Matthew C Peros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Shell Matrix ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Ams Dates

Twelve accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates from the shell-matrix site of Canímar Abajo (Matanzas, Cuba) are reported. Eleven were obtained directly from human bone collagen in burials and one was obtained from charcoal recovered from a burial context. The site stratigraphy presents two episodes of burial activity separated by a shell midden layer. The AMS dates fall into two compact clusters that correlate remarkably well with the stratigraphy. The older burial dates to between 1380–800 cal BC (2σ) and the younger one to between cal AD 360–950 (2σ). The AMS dates are compared to eight conventional 14C dates previously obtained on shell and charcoal. One of the conventional dates on charcoal (5480–5380 cal BC; 2σ) has been reported as the oldest 14C date in the Caribbean region; its context and reliability are clarified. The suite of AMS dates provides one of the most reliable chronometric dating of a cultural context during this timeframe in Cuba. The correlation of 14C and stratigraphy establishes a solid chronology for investigating the important economic and ritual features of Canímar Abajo.

scholarly journals Dating the Tavan Tolgoi Site, Mongolia: Burials of the Nobility from Genghis Khan's Era

Radiocarbon ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 685-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Youn ◽  
J C Kim ◽  
H K Kim ◽  
D Tumen ◽  
D Navaan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Royal Family ◽  
Ams Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Historical Importance ◽  
National University ◽  
Mongol Empire

The Tavan Tolgoi (Five Holy Hills) site, located in Ongon sum, Sukhbaatar aimag, in southeastern Mongolia, consists of about 20 burials. During the preliminary 2004 excavations conducted by the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, National University of Mongolia, 7 graves were unearthed. In grave 1 (2004), the skeleton of a woman 40 yr old, wearing golden rings with the inscription of a Siberian falcon, was found together with other ornamental artifacts. In grave 2 (2004), a man with a gold-gilded saddle and a horse were buried. Adornments strongly indicate that these burials date to the Great Mongol Empire period and may relate to the Golden Horde lineage of Genghis Khan. Initial accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating of wood from a coffin at burial 2004–6 (Table 1) gave an age of 860 ± 60 BP, and the age of a human bone sample from burial 2004–1 was determined as 890 ± 40 BP. Subsequent excavations yielded 13 samples for 14C dating, and 7 of them have been dated thus far. The calibrated dates were in the range of AD 1130–1250, which is in agreement with Genghis Khan's life span. Artifacts strongly suggest that these burials belong to nobility or members of the royal family. Given that such burials are hard to find, the Tavan Tolgoi site is expected to yield important archaeological and historical information. In this paper, the historical importance of the artifacts recovered is discussed in light of 14C dating and the results of additional scientific analyses.

Fundamentals of accelerator mass spectrometry

1987 ◽  
Vol 323 (1569) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Isotope Ratios ◽  
Mass Spectrometric ◽  
Negative Ion ◽  
Significant Extension ◽  
Mass Spectrometric Techniques

The extension of high-sensitivity mass spectrometry to isotope ratios in the range 10 -12 - 10 -15 has been called accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) because of the use of an additional stage of acceleration that facilitates the removal of molecular interferences and the separation of isobars. In some cases the ultra-high sensitivity is obtained by exploiting the instability of the negative ion of the interfering isobar. It is now possible to measure such isotopes as 14 C at natural abundances as low as one atom in 10 +15 12 C atoms. The ideas behind this significant extension of mass spectrometric techniques will be discussed.

Resolving an Anomolous Radiocarbon Determination on Mastodon Bone from Monte Verde, Chile

2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 766-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra George ◽  
John Southon ◽  
R. E. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Constituent Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Profiles ◽  
Organic Fractions ◽  
Monte Verde ◽  
Total Amino Acids

Previous 14C determinations obtained on two segments of a single mastodon bone recovered from Monte Verde, Chile, were highly discordant, differing by more than 5,000 years. Because of the significance of this site in discussions concerning the earliest peopling of the Western Hemisphere, additional 14C and new δ13C values have been obtained on organic fractions isolated from both segments. The constituent amino acid profiles indicate that both bone segments retain significant amounts of protein (mostly collagen) residues. Four accelerator mass spectrometry-based 14C values obtained on total amino acids and ultrafiltered gelatin fractions—two from each segment—are statistically identical and indicate an age of 12,460 (± 30) BP for the mastodon. This value is concordant with 14C values obtained on other culturally affiliated organics associated with the MV-II levels at this site.

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