Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria: Dating of Neolithic Cemeteries

H Plug; J van der Plicht; P M M G Akkermans

doi:10.2458/56.17446

Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria: Dating of Neolithic Cemeteries

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/s0033822200049584 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 56 (02) ◽

pp. 543-554 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H Plug ◽

J van der Plicht ◽

P M M G Akkermans

Keyword(s):

Human Bone ◽

Burial Ground ◽

Late Neolithic ◽

Bayesian Methodology ◽

Halaf Period ◽

Continuous Use

Late Neolithic graves excavated at Tell Sabi Abyad, Syria, have been dated by radiocarbon. This series of 46 human bone dates represents a sequence of cemeteries that is analyzed by Bayesian methodology. The dates show continuous use of the northeastern slope of the mound as a burial ground throughout the Initial Pottery Neolithic to the Halaf period.

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Freshwater Radiocarbon Reservoir Effects at the Burial Ground of Minino, Northwest Russia

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/s0033822200047883 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 55 (01) ◽

pp. 163-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

R E Wood ◽

T F G Higham ◽

A Buzilhova ◽

A Suvorov ◽

J Heinemeier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotopes ◽

Stable Isotope ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Human Remains ◽

Human Bone ◽

Burial Ground ◽

Nitrogen Stable Isotopes ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Freshwater Reservoir

If ancient carbon is incorporated into lakes and rivers, it can be transferred along the foodchain where it can cause radiocarbon dates to appear erroneously old. This effect is known as the14C freshwater reservoir effect (FRE), and causes particular problems when dating human remains. Several studies have attempted to use carbon and/or nitrogen stable isotopes to predict the size of the FRE, with mixed success. We have examined whether the FRE at the Mesolithic-Neolithic burial ground of Minino, northwest Russia, is correlated with these stable isotope systems. To assess the size of the FRE, 9 pairs of human bone and burial goods were dated, such as spears and pendants made of herbivore bone. In addition, further human and faunal bones were analyzed for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. Although these stable isotopes suggest that freshwater resources dominated the protein intake of those buried at Minino, no relationship between stable isotopes and the FRE was found. Instead, we found that the FRE was relatively consistent at 490 ± 8014C yr. With caution, this can be subtracted from burials at Minino to provide a low-resolution chronology for the burial ground. We demonstrate that it is not possible to assume that a relationship exists between stable isotopes and14C, and each population thought to be affected by a FRE must be examined individually.

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Freshwater Radiocarbon Reservoir Effects at the Burial Ground of Minino, Northwest Russia

Radiocarbon ◽

10.2458/azu_js_rc.v55i1.16448 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

pp. 163-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

R E Wood ◽

T F G Higham ◽

A Buzilhova ◽

A Suvorov ◽

J Heinemeier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotopes ◽

Stable Isotope ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Human Remains ◽

Human Bone ◽

Burial Ground ◽

Nitrogen Stable Isotopes ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Freshwater Reservoir

If ancient carbon is incorporated into lakes and rivers, it can be transferred along the foodchain where it can cause radiocarbon dates to appear erroneously old. This effect is known as the 14C freshwater reservoir effect (FRE), and causes particular problems when dating human remains. Several studies have attempted to use carbon and/or nitrogen stable isotopes to predict the size of the FRE, with mixed success. We have examined whether the FRE at the Mesolithic-Neolithic burial ground of Minino, northwest Russia, is correlated with these stable isotope systems. To assess the size of the FRE, 9 pairs of human bone and burial goods were dated, such as spears and pendants made of herbivore bone. In addition, further human and faunal bones were analyzed for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. Although these stable isotopes suggest that freshwater resources dominated the protein intake of those buried at Minino, no relationship between stable isotopes and the FRE was found. Instead, we found that the FRE was relatively consistent at 490 ± 80 14C yr. With caution, this can be subtracted from burials at Minino to provide a low-resolution chronology for the burial ground. We demonstrate that it is not possible to assume that a relationship exists between stable isotopes and 14C, and each population thought to be affected by a FRE must be examined individually.

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Ams Dating of Human Bone from Cova De La Pastora: New Evidence of Ritual Continuity in the Prehistory of Eastern Spain

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/s0033822200045008 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 25-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Sarah B McClure ◽

Oreto García Puchol ◽

Brendan J Culleton

Keyword(s):

Bronze Age ◽

Human Bone ◽

Museum Collections ◽

Late Neolithic ◽

Radiocarbon Dates ◽

Ams Dating ◽

New Evidence ◽

The Bronze Age ◽

Burial Cave

We present the results of 10 AMS radiocarbon dates for Cova de la Pastora (Alcoi, Alicante), a burial cave attributed to the Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic in eastern Spain. The direct dating of 10 human mandibles from Cova de la Pastora indicates that the cave was used as a burial place from the Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age. These dates reveal a continuity of ritual use not previously identified at the site. This case also serves to highlight the utility of revisiting historic excavations and museum collections with modern techniques to shed new light on the prehistoric human record.

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