bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
History of the Environment and Population of the Old Town of Klaipėda, Western Lithuania: Multidisciplinary Approach to the Last Millennium
Authors: Kisielienė Dalia , Masiulienė Ieva , Daugnora Linas , Stančikaitė Miglė , Mažeika Jonas , Vaikutienė Giedrė , Petrošius Rimantas
Published: July 2016

Progressive stages in the development of the Old Town region of the city of Klaipėda (in German, Memel) were ascertained by analyzing archaeological and historical data combined with an analysis of pollen, diatom, plant macrofossil, and osteological findings as cross-referenced with radiocarbon measurements. The port city of Klaipėda, located on the eastern part of the Baltic Sea, was an important political, economic, and religious center during the last millennium. In addition to its environmental history, the character of human activity and urbanization of the area during the 16th–17th centuries AD were examined. The chronology of these records is based on archaeological, historical, and 14C data. The results obtained indicate the predominance of a wet boggy environment and the presence of a pond in the investigated territory of Klaipėda during the late 15th and early 16th centuries AD. The formation of a new Danė River channel created an island town, resulting in a defensible residual area for the town inhabitants. An ongoing deposition of a cultural layer began in the mid-16th century AD. Rich zooarchaeological data found in this layer provided new details on human diet and exposed a predominance of domestic animals, especially cattle. Due to intensive amelioration of this area, layers of sandy and clayey deposits were formed during the second half of the 16th century AD. A significant presence of cultivars, ruderals, and weeds were recorded, indicating substantial human activity and increasing urbanization of the landscape. According to the paleobotanical, archaeological, and historical data, the culmination of this process took place at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries AD, when residential areas were established.
New Archaeological, Paleoenvironmental, and 14C Data from the Šventoji Neolithic Sites, NW Lithuania
Authors: Piličiauskas Gytis , Mažeika Jonas , Gaidamavičius Andrejus , Vaikutienė Giedrė , Bitinas Albertas , Skuratovič Žana , Stančikaitė Miglė
Published: July 2016

Archaeological, geological, and paleoecological investigations supported by radiocarbon dating enabled us to present a reconstruction of chronologically based paleoenvironmental and human activity changes in the Šventoji region, NW Lithuania, during the period 4000–800 cal BC. In addition, we describe the main stages of the Late Glacial and Holocene periods in the area. The Baltic Ice Lake regression was succeeded by a terrestrial period until the Littorina Sea maximal transgression at 5700–5400 cal BC. A marine bay with brackish water was transformed into a freshwater lagoon before the oldest archaeological evidence of human presence, i.e. 4000/3700 cal BC. However, the presence of Cerealia type and Plantago lanceolata pollen dating back to about 4400–4300 cal BC suggests earlier farming activities in the area. Pollen analyses show the minor but continuous role of cereal cultivation after 3250 cal BC. Due to the predominance of the boggy landscape in the immediate vicinity of the Šventoji sites, agricultural fields were situated further away from the sites themselves. Exploitation of remote areas of the freshwater basin by diverse fishing gear was proven by the discovery of a new fishing site, Šventoji 41 (2900–2600 cal BC). This finding together with data of previous research suggest a complex and elaborate coastal economy involving seal hunting and year-round freshwater fishing during the 3rd millennium cal BC. A decline in human activity is seen in the pollen diagram after 1800 cal BC, which could be due to significant environmental changes, including overgrowth of the freshwater lagoon basin with vegetation.
Hunter-Gatherer Pottery and Charred Residue Dating: New Results on Early Ceramics in the North Eurasian Forest Zone
Authors: Hartz Sönke , Kostyleva Elena , Piezonka Henny , Terberger Thomas , Tsydenova Natalya , Zhilin Mikhail G
Published: July 2016

This article discusses 18 accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates from the peat bog sites Sakhtysh 2a, Ozerki 5, and Ozerki 17 in the Upper Volga region. The aim is to contribute to a better understanding of the emergence and dispersal of early ceramic traditions in northern Eurasia and their connection to the Baltic. With 1 exception, all dates were obtained from charred residue adhering to the sherd. A possible reservoir effect was tested on 1 piece of pottery from Sakhtysh 2a by taking 1 sample from charred residue, and another sample from plant fiber remains. Although a reservoir effect was able to be ruled out in this particular case, 4 other dates from Sakhtysh 2a and Ozerki 5 seem too old on typological grounds and might have been affected by freshwater reservoir effects. Considering all other reliable dates, the Early Neolithic Upper Volga culture, and with it the adoption of ceramics, in the forest zone of European Russia started around 6000 cal BC.
Chronology of Neolithic-Early Metal Age Sites at the Okhta River Mouth (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
Authors: Kulkova M , Gusentzova T , Nesterov E , Sorokin P , Sapelko T
Published: July 2016

The unique archaeological monument of Okhta 1 (Neolithic-Early Metal Age) was excavated in 2008 in central Saint Petersburg (Russia). Radiocarbon and wiggle-match dating of organic materials and artifacts (charcoal wood samples and ceramic food crusts) from lithological and cultural layers helped to determine the main stages of cultural-historical processes and paleogeographical events in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea bay during the Holocene. Humans occupied the Okhta Cape from 4200–3600 cal BC, after the Littorina Sea regression. Prehistoric people of the Middle-Late Neolithic, identified by their characteristic Pit Combed Ware ceramics, used this territory for fishing and hunting. The wood pile constructions used for fishing in 3500 cal BC were built on the coast and in river channels. From 3200–3000 cal BC, settlements and burials appeared of the Late Neolithic-Early Metal Age. The strategic geographical position of this territory was favorable for trade activity, fishing, and hunting, and shaped important interactions for different cultural groups.
Dating the Iron Age I/II Transition in Israel: First Intercomparison Results
Authors: Boaretto Elisabetta , Jull A J Timothy , Gilboa Ayelet , Sharon Ilan
Published: July 2016

Nearly a decade ago, a different chronology than the conventional absolute chronology for the early Iron Age in Israel was suggested. The new, lower chronology “transfers” Iron Age I and Iron Age IIA contexts in Israel, traditionally dated to the 11th and 10th centuries BCE, to the 10th and 9th centuries, respectively. Thus, it places the Iron I|IIA transition at about 920–900 BCE. This alternative chronology carries important implications for Israelite history, historiography, and Bible research, as well as for the chronologies of other regions around the Mediterranean. Relevant radiocarbon data sets published to date, which were measured at different sites by different laboratories, were claimed to be incompatible. Therefore, the question of agreement between laboratories and dating methods needs to be addressed at the outset of any study attempting to resolve such a tight chronological dilemma. This paper addresses results pertaining to this issue as part of a comprehensive attempt to date the early Iron Age in Israel based on many sites, employing different measuring techniques in 2 laboratories. The intercomparison results demonstrate that: a) the agreement between the 2 laboratories is well within the standard in the 14C community and that no bias can be detected in either laboratory; and b) calculating the Iron I|IIa transition in 3 different ways (twice independently by the measurements obtained at the 2 labs and then by combining the dates of both) indicates that the lower chronology is the preferable one.
Pre-Bomb Δ14C Variability and the Suess Effect in Cariaco Basin Surface Waters as Recorded in Hermatypic Corals
Authors: Guilderson Thomas P , Cole Julia E , Southon John R
Published: July 2016

The Δ14C content of surface waters in and around the Cariaco Basin was reconstructed from radiocarbon measurements on sub-annually sampled coral skeletal material. During the late 1930s to early 1940s, surface waters within and outside of the Cariaco Basin were similar. Within the Cariaco Basin at Islas Tortugas, coral Δ14C averages −51.9 ± 3.3%. Corals collected outside of the basin at Boca de Medio and Los Testigos have Δ14C values of −53.4 ± 3.3% and −54.3 ± 2.6, respectively. Additional 14C analyses on the Isla Tortugas coral document an ∼11% decrease between ∼1905 (−40.9 ± 4.5%) and ∼1940. The implied Suess effect trend (−3%/decade) is nearly as large as that observed in the atmosphere over the same time period. If we assume that there is little to no fossil fuel 14CO2 signature in Cariaco surface waters in ∼1905, the waters have an equivalent reservoir age of ∼312 yr.
Blank Correction for Δ14C Measurements in Organic Compound Classes of Oceanic Particulate Matter
Authors: Hwang Jeomshik , Druffel Ellen R M
Published: July 2016

Contaminant carbon (blank carbon) was studied for its impact on the carbon isotope measurements (Δ14C and δ13C) of 3 organic compound classes of oceanic particulate organic matter. Two methods of blank correction and associated uncertainties were studied. First, the carbon blanks were quantified manometrically and the isotope ratios of the blank carbon were measured directly. Second, the isotope ratios of the blank carbon were estimated using the standard dilution method from the difference in Δ14C values between unprocessed and processed standards. The 2 methods agreed within the uncertainties. The standard deviations of numerous Δ14C measurements made on processed standard compounds were comparable to those of real samples. Blank correction using the standard dilution method is much less sensitive to the error in determination of blank carbon mass than is correction using the directly measured mass and Δ14C values of the blank carbon. The standard dilution method is recommended for correcting Δ14C analyses of small samples that involve incorporation of a significant amount of blank carbon.
Chronologies for Recent Peat Deposits Using Wiggle-Matched Radiocarbon Ages: Problems with Old Carbon Contamination
Authors: Charman Dan J , Garnett Mark H
Published: July 2016

Dating sediments which have accumulated over the last few hundred years is critical to the calibration of longer-term paleoclimate records with instrumental climate data. We attempted to use wiggle-matched radiocarbon ages to date 2 peat profiles from northern England which have high-resolution records of paleomoisture variability over the last ∼300 yr. A total of 6514C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements were made on 33 macrofossil samples. A number of the age estimates were older than expected and some of the oldest ages occurred in the upper parts of the sequence, which had been dated to the late 19th and early 20th century using other techniques. We suggest that the older14C ages are the result of contamination by industrial pollution. Based on counts of spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs), the potential aging effect for SCP carbon was calculated and shown to be appreciable for samples from the early 20th century. Ages corrected for this effect were still too old in some cases, which could be a result of fossil CO2fixation, non-SCP particulate carbon, contamination due to imperfect cleaning of samples, or the “reservoir effect” from fixation of fossil carbon emanating from deeper peat layers. Wiggle matches based on the overall shape of the depth-14C relationship and the14C minima in the calibration curve could still be identified. These were tested against other age estimates (210Pb, pollen, and SCPs) to provide new age-depth models for the profiles. New approaches are needed to measure the impact of industrially derived carbon on recent sediment ages to provide more secure chronologies over the last few hundred years.
The Stratigraphic Sequence at Yalâ (Yemen): A Statistical Evaluation
Authors: Manzo Andrea
Published: July 2016

The South Arabian chronology has been problematic for a long time and this is also a true vexata quaestio for the ancient history of South Arabia. Three different chronologies have been suggested for the first literate phase of South Arabian cultures, which may date to the 11th century BC, the late 8th century BC, or the 5th century BC (see de Maigret 1996:157–63; de Maigret and Robin 1989: 276–8; Pirenne 1988; Robin 1997; Figure 1). At the site of Yalâ, potsherds with incised South Arabian inscriptions have been recovered in a stratum dating at least to the 8th century BC, if not earlier, and offer evidence of the existence of South Arabian culture at that time (de Maigret and Robin 1989:288–9).
Evolution and Multidisciplinary Frontiers of14C Aerosol Science
Authors: Currie L A
Published: July 2016

A review is given of some critical events in the development of radiocarbon aerosol science, and the profound influence of radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) on its current applications and future prospects. The birth of this discipline occurred shortly after the initial development of14C dating. Unlike dating, which is founded on the continual decay of14C and the resulting full range of14C/12C ratios in once-living matter,14C applications to atmospheric aerosol research relate primarily to the determination of mixing ratios of fossil and biomass components. Such determinations have come to have major importance in work ranging from the resolution of woodburning and motor vehicle components of urban particulate pollution, to the apportionment of radiation-forcing (black) particulate carbon from natural wildfires and anthropogenic regional plumes. The development of this area has paralleled that of AMS itself, with the one or the other alternately serving as the driving force, in a sort of counterpoint. The remarkable million-fold improvement in sensitivity made possible by AMS has become critical in meeting rapidly emerging societal concerns with the origins and effects of individual carbonaceous species on health and climate.
Study of the Parameters Affecting the Correlation of Background Versus Cosmic Radiation in Co2 Counters: Reliability of Dating Results
Authors: Facorellis Yorgos , Maniatis Yannis , Kromer Bernd
Published: July 2016

Systematic treatment of the data recorded by our guard counters and corrections introduced for meteorological factors has allowed observations on solar events clearly manifested in the readings. Examples are the solar flares of March 1989 and especially of June 1991, which caused a ca. 10% decrease in the cosmic radiation flux reaching the counters. A sinusoidal variation in the cosmic-ray flux with a period of one year is also clearly manifested in the data. The observation that the background in the 14C measurements depends on the intensity of the cosmic radiation has led to the use of monthly correlations for the determination of the best background value to be used in the age calculations. This reduces the error significantly. However, various factors such as random statistical fluctuations of the background measurements may affect the slope of the correlations and consequently the calculated age of the samples. Long-term observations of the relation between background values and coincidence counts have led to constraints in the slope of the correlation. A simple extension of the fitting procedure is explored, which maintains the physically meaningful range of the slopes, but is flexible to adjust for the seasonally varying contributions to the variations of the cosmic-ray flux.
Histone Adduction with Nicotine: A Bio-Ams Study
Authors: Wu X. H. , Wang H. F. , Liu Y. F. , Lu X. Y. , Wang J. J. , Li K.
Published: July 2016

Based on the study of DNA adduction with nicotine, we have measured the mouse hepatic histone adduction with14C-labeled nicotinein vivoby bio-accelerator mass spectrometry (bio-AMS). In the exposure of mice to nicotine, the dose range administered was from 0.2 μg to 6.0 μg kg b.w.-1, which was equivalent to a very low level of human exposure to cigarette smoke. The adducts of either histone 1 (H1) or histone 3 (H3) with nicotine in mouse liver increased markedly with increasing nicotine dose. Our results have demonstrated that in the study of protein adduction with toxic xenobiotics as a biomarker, the AMS method achieves the highest sensitivity, 4.6 × 10-17mol (46 amol) adducts per mg H1 protein, compared to all the other methods used previously.
A Compendium of Radiocarbon and Oxidizable Carbon Ratio Dates from Archaeological Sites in East Texas, with A Discussion of the Age and Dating of Select Components and Phases
Authors: Perttula Timothy K.
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a compilation of the >520 radiocarbon and oxidizable carbon ratio dates obtained since the early 1950s from archaeological sites in East Texas. Many of the dates are from difficult-to-obtain sources, such as archaeological sites investigated during the course of cultural resource management projects. An analysis of the age ranges in the dates indicate that most pertain to prehistoric and protohistoric Caddoan Indian occupations, particularly the Early (ad 1000–1200) and Middle Caddoan (ad 1200–1400) periods when prehistoric Caddoan settlements were widely distributed throughout the region.
AMS Radiocarbon Dating of Wood Samples from the Angkor Monuments, Cambodia
Authors: Uchida E , Cunin O , Shimoda I , Takubo Y , Nakagawa T
Published: July 2016

In the Angkor monuments of Cambodia, pieces of wood remain (as head frames of doorways, crossbeams, ceiling boards, etc.) in the following 8 monuments: Bakong, Lolei, Baksei Chamkrong, North Khleang, Angkor Wat, Banteay Kdei, Bayon, and Gates of Angkor Thorn. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating carried out on 15 wood samples collected from the above 8 monuments revealed that most of the wood samples are original, except for the head frame of a doorway in Baksei Chamkrong, the ceiling boards in the northwest tower, and a crossbeam with pivot hole in the southwest tower of the Inner Gallery of Angkor Wat. The 14C age for the head frame of a doorway in the inner wall under the central tower of North Khleang supports the hypothesis that the inner walls are additions from a later period.
New Radiocarbon Dates for the Baden Culture
Authors: Horváth Tünde , Svingor S éva , Molnár Mihály
Published: July 2016

In 2001–2002, a settlement of the Baden culture was excavated in the vicinity of Balatonoszöd. During the rescue excavation along the M7 highway, in an area of 100,000 m2, 2800 pits dug into the subsoil, 320 hearths, and cultural layers rich in material were discovered. The material of the Baden culture represents phases IB–IC (Boleraz), IIA (Transitional), IIB–III (Early Classical) according to Němejcová-Pavúková's (1981, 1998) typological system. We took 20 samples from the large number of human and animal skeletons for radiocarbon dating, of which 16 measurements were successful. These results provide absolute dates for a Baden culture settlement with the longest occupation and the largest excavated surface in Hungary. This provides an opportunity to review the chronological position of the Baden culture, with special emphasis on its beginning and end.
The Minoan Santorini Eruption and Tsunami Deposits in Palaikastro (Crete): Dating by Geology, Archaeology, 14C, and Egyptian Chronology
Authors: Bruins Hendrik J , van der Plicht Johannes , Alexander MacGillivray J
Published: July 2016

Deposits from the Minoan Santorini (Thera) eruption in the eastern Mediterranean region constitute the most important regional stratigraphic marker in the chronological perplexity of the 2nd millennium BCE. Extensive tsunami deposits were discovered in Crete at the Minoan archaeological site of Palaikastro, containing reworked volcanic Santorini ash. Hence, airborne deposition of volcanic ash, probably during the 1st (Plinian) eruption phase, preceded the tsunami, which was apparently generated during the 3rd or 4th phase of the eruption, based on evidence from Thera. Average radiocarbon dates (uncalibrated) of animal bones in the Palaikastro tsunami deposits along the coast (3350 ± 25 BP) and at the inland archaeological site (3352 ± 23 BP) are astoundingly similar to the average 14C date for the Minoan Santorini eruption at Akrotiri on Thera (3350 ± 10 BP). The wiggle-matched 14C date of the eruption in calendar years is 1627–1600 cal BCE. Late Minoan IA pottery is the youngest element in the Palaikastro tsunami deposits, fitting with the LM IA archaeological date for the Santorini eruption, conventionally linked at ~1500 BCE with Dynasty XVIII of the historical Egyptian chronology. The reasons for the discrepancy of 100–150 yr between 14C dating and Egyptian chronology for part of the 2nd millennium BCE are unknown. 14C dates from Tell el-Dabca in the eastern Nile Delta show that the 14C age of the Santorini eruption matches with 14C results from 18th Dynasty strata C3 and C2, thereby confirming grosso modo the conventional archaeo-historical correlations between the Aegean and Egypt. We propose that a dual dating system is used in parallel: (1) archaeological material-cultural correlations linked to Egyptian chronology; (2) 14C dating. Mixing of dates from the 2 systems may lead to erroneous archaeological and historical correlations. A “calibration curve” should be established between Egyptian chronology and 14C dating for the 2nd millennium BCE, which may also assist to resolve the cause of the discrepancy.
Dating of the Tashtyk Cultural Remains from the Oglakhty Burial Ground (Southern Siberia)
Authors: Zaitseva G I , Pankova S V , Vasiliev S S , Dergachev V A , Scott E M , Sementsov A A , Jungner H , Sonninen E
Published: July 2016

The present research is focused on the dating of the Oglakhty burial ground, the key site of stage I of the Tashtyk culture. Despite the numerous well-preserved burials of that type investigated at the Oglakhty complexes, their chronological position has remained unclear. From the early 20th century until the present, 2 different time periods had been identified for the Tashtyk burials: (1) from the 1st century BC until the 1st century AD and (2) from the 1st until the 2nd century AD. New data obtained in the 1990s suggested a different age for Tashtyk burials, namely the 3rd–4th centuries AD. This considerable shift in chronology needed to be checked with independent data. The chronological position of one of the Oglakhty burials, tomb 4, has been investigated with the use of wiggle-matching, applied to wooden logs used in the construction of tomb 4. The resulting dates for this burial strongly suggest its age as being limited to the 3rd–4th centuries AD, which is corroborated by the archaeological dates of the imported artifacts found in the grave and which is in agreement with the chronological position of the Oglakhty site, as proposed by previous investigations.
Dating Charred Soil Organic Matter: Comparison of Radiocarbon Ages from Macrocharcoals and Chemically Separated Charcoal Carbon
Authors: Eckmeier Eileen , Van der Borg Klaas , Tegtmeier Ursula , Schmidt Michael W I , Gerlach Renate
Published: July 2016

Radiocarbon dating of charcoal in soils is commonly used to reconstruct past environmental processes. Also microcharcoal that is chemically isolated from soil organic matter by high-energy UV photo-oxidation can be dated with 14C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). We compared the 14C AMS ages of 13 pairs of hand-picked macrocharcoals and microcharcoal samples separated via the UV oxidation method; both charcoal fractions were taken from the same soil samples (prehistoric pit fillings). We found that in most cases, the microcharcoal fraction yielded older ages than the single macrocharcoal pieces, and that the differences between the ages are not systematic. A reason for these age differences might be that the microcharcoal fraction consists of more stable components than macrocharcoals and thus yields older ages. Dating of microcharcoal would give a mean age of charred organic matter in soil material and the ages of the more stable compounds. Thus, 14C data obtained from the microcharcoal fraction in soils is not comparable to macrocharcoal ages and should not be used to complement existing macrocharcoal data sets.
The Formation of Deluvial and Alluvial Cones as a Consequence of Human Settlement on a Loess Plateau: An Example from the Chroberz Area (Poland)
Authors: Szwarczewski Piotr
Published: July 2016

The area of Chroberz (southern Poland) poses questions of an interdisciplinary character comprising geomorphologic, sedimentation, and archaeological-historical problems. The main aim of this study was to identify the geomorphologic response to changes in the natural environment that took place in the area of the loess plateau (and its close vicinity) as a result of its settlement by man and of climate change. Periods of particularly intense human activity (land-use changes, deforestation, and agriculture) were recorded as changes in the type of sedimentation, i.e. organic sedimentation substituted for mineral one; it was extremely intensive during the Neolithic Age, Iron Age, and Early Middle Ages. The conducted fieldwork research, analysis of available archaeological materials, and radiocarbon dating results show that there is a direct connection between human economic activity in primeval and historic times and between soil erosion and accumulation of colluvial/alluvial fans in the surroundings of the locality of Chroberz. 14C dates documenting the age of colluvial sediment formation show that individual areas of the upland were settled by humans asynchronously. On the basis of a low facial variability, or, occasionally, even homogeneity, of individual colluvia (from soil erosion) and their considerable thickness, it can be concluded that the land was in constant use or that the intervals with no human activity were relatively short. The progressing human impact process is visible both in the form progradation recorded as the changes in 14C ages (e.g. from 1440 ± 100 to 780 ± 80 BP) and in textural (e.g. chemical) features of sediments of which the examined fans are composed.
Developing a Chronology Integrating Archaeological and Environmental Data from Different Contexts: The Late Holocene Sequence of Ounjougou (Mali)
Authors: Ozainne Sylvain , Lespez Laurent , Le Drezen Yann , Eichhorn Barbara , Neumann Katharina , Huysecom Eric
Published: July 2016

At Ounjougou, a site complex situated in the Yamé River valley on the Bandiagara Plateau (Dogon country, Mali), multidisciplinary research has revealed a rich archaeological and paleoenvironmental sequence used to reconstruct the history of human-environment interactions, especially during the Late Holocene (3500–300 cal BC). Geomorphological, archaeological, and archaeobotanical data coming from different sites and contexts were combined in order to elaborate a chronocultural and environmental model for this period. Bayesian analysis of 5414C dates included within the general Late Holocene stratigraphy of Ounjougou provides better accuracy for limits of the main chronological units, as well as for some particularly important events, like the onset of agriculture in the region. The scenario that can be proposed in the current state of research shows an increasing role of anthropogenic fires from the 3rd millennium cal BC onwards, and the appearance of food production during the 2nd millennium cal BC, coupled with a distinctive cultural break. The Late Holocene sequence ends around 300 cal BC with an important sedimentary hiatus that lasts until the end of the 4th century cal AD.
Anthropology and14C Analysis of Skeletal Remains from Relic Shrines: An Unexpected Source of Information for Medieval Archaeology
Authors: van Strydonck Mark , Ervynck Anton , Vandenbruaene Marit , Boudin Mathieu
Published: July 2016

Since the early Middle Ages, relics of Catholic saints played an important role in popular religion in Europe. The shrines containing the human remains of the saints, however, are rarely studied, typically only when restoration becomes necessary. Formerly, such study was mostly restricted to the art-historical aspects of the artifacts, sometimes including the counting and rough identification of the bones. In this study, for the first time, and for a number of case studies, a more systematic approach was taken, including detailed physico-anthropological observations,13C and15N stable isotope measurements, and14C analysis of the bones.

The importance of this project lies not only in a critical evaluation of the authenticity of the relics. Fruitful insights could also be gained about the origin, history, and treatment of these parts of our religious heritage. Finally, it has been proven that shrines are an important source of early medieval human skeletal material, which is only rarely found in archaeological contexts in Belgium.
Mesolithic Human Bones from the Upper Volga Basin: Radiocarbon and Trace Elements
Authors: Alexandrovskiy A L , Alexandrovskaya E I , Zhilin M I , van der Plicht J
Published: July 2016

Human bones from 3 Mesolithic sites in the Upper Volga basin were analyzed for trace elements, and dated by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The radiocarbon dates of the bones correspond to the Mesolithic era. However, some dates differ from those obtained for the enclosing deposits and for the worked wood fragments in the cultural layer. The elemental composition of the bones is interpreted in terms of increased concentrations of some elements and their impact on human health and behavior.
A Reappraisal of the Dendrochronology and Dating of Tille Höyük (1993)
Authors: Griggs Carol B , Manning Sturt W
Published: July 2016

The results of a tentative oak tree-ring chronology built from charcoal samples found in Late Bronze to early Iron Age contexts (late 2nd millennium to early 1st millennium BCE) at the site of Tille Höyük in southeast Turkey, and its placement in time, was published in 1993 (Summers 1993). This represented one of the few publications about archaeological dendrochronology for this period and region. However, the dendrochronological sequence and its crossdating have been questioned, including in this journal (Keenan 2002). Here, we critically reassess and revise the dendrochronological positioning of the site's building phases and their place in time by absolutely dating 7 decadal tree-ring sequences via radiocarbon wiggle-matching.
Chronology of the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic Settlement Tell Qaramel, Northern Syria, in the Light of Radiocarbon Dating
Authors: Mazurowski Ryszard F , Michczyńska Danuta J , Pazdur Anna , Piotrowska Natalia
Published: July 2016

Archaeological excavations at the Syrian settlement of Tell Qaramel have been conducted since 1999. They are concentrated on remnants of the Protoneolithic and early stages of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period. The settlement has revealed an extremely rich collection of everyday use of flint, bone, and mostly stone objects, such as decorated chlorite or limestone vessels; shaft straighteners used to stretch wooden arrow shafts, richly decorated in geometrical, zoomorphic, and anthropomorphic patterns; as well as different kinds of stones, querns, mortars, pestles, grinders, polishing plates, celts, and adzes.

Excavations brought the discovery of 5 circular towers. Some 57 charcoal samples were collected during the excavations and dated in the GADAM Centre in Gliwice, Poland. The stratigraphy of the settlement and results of radiocarbon dating testify that these are the oldest such constructions in the world, older than the famous and unique tower in Jericho. They confirm that the Neolithic culture was formed simultaneously in many regions of the Near East, creating a farming culture and establishing settlements with mud and stone architecture and creating the first stages of a proto-urban being.
Radiocarbon Dating of Neolithic Pottery
Authors: Zaitseva G , Skripkin V , Kovaliukh N , Possnert G , Dolukhanov P , Vybornov A
Published: July 2016

The direct measurement of organic matter included in archaeological pottery may yield a reliable assessment of age. The main problem consists in the identification of possible origins and assessment of distortion for the age of organic inclusions. Our experiments show that shells included in pottery fabrics are strongly influenced by the reservoir effect, which may reach 500 yr or more. Other organic inclusions, such as lake ooze, do not visibly distort the age. The obtained series of radiocarbon dates have been used for the assessing the age of the early stages of pottery manufacture in southern Russia.
14C Dating of Carbonate Mortars from Polish and Israeli Sites
Authors: Nawrocka Danuta , Czernik Justyna , Goslar Tomasz
Published: July 2016

The presented research involves the analysis and radiocarbon dating of 2 different groups of carbonate mortars, from Kraków, Poland and Hippos, Israel. Differences in composition of the mortars are reflected in different rates of their acid leaching. The Israeli mortars contain carbonate-basaltic aggregates, which may cause overestimation of 14C age. Preliminary processing of these samples (choice of selected grain-size fraction and collection of CO2 released during the first phase of the acid-leaching reaction), enabled us to obtain good agreement between the 14C dates and the age derived from historical contexts. A similar method of preliminary processing was applied to the carbonate mortars of the Medieval building in Kraków. The Polish samples represent carbonate mortars with some admixture of quartz aggregates, suggesting that they would be an ideal material for 14C dating. However, these samples contained white lumps of carbonates, the structure of which differed from that of the binder. These admixtures, possibly related to the hydrological conditions at the site and to the character of the ingredients, appeared modern, and if not removed prior to acid leaching, they could cause underestimation of the age of samples. The 14C dates of the mortars from the walls of the Small Scales building in Kraków are the first obtained for this object, and their sequence does not contradict archaeological indications on several phases of the building construction.
Radiocarbon Dating of Iron: A Northern Contribution
Authors: Oinonen M , Haggren G , Kaskela A , Lavento M , Palonen V , Tikkanen P
Published: July 2016

The iron dating project Aikarauta has been launched in Finland. This paper presents the results of the preliminary investigations. The ability for radiocarbon measurement by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) of iron in Finland has been demonstrated by using coal-produced iron as reference material. An elemental analyzer has been harnessed to measure the carbon content of small iron samples. In addition, we have hypothesized that a fingerprint of the limestone usage in the smelting process is the high Ca content of iron and slag. This has been examined by performing an iron smelting experiment with limestone as flux, by making elemental analyses of ingredients and the resulting slag and iron, and by a 14C analysis of the produced iron. It is possible that limestone dilutes the 14C contents of the produced iron, making its age determination challenging.
Nerc Radiocarbon Age Measurements Determined By Radiometric Counting 1996–2005
Authors: Garnett M H , Harkness D D , Miller B F , Fallick A E , Bryant C L
Published: July 2016

We describe a new compilation of radiocarbon age measurements performed by the NERC Radiocarbon Laboratory that is freely available to access over the World Wide Web. The database contains 1000 14C measurements performed using the liquid scintillation counting method between 1996 and 2005, and further results will be added as the information is compiled. Contextual information including sampling location and the nature of sample material is provided, alongside 14C age results and publications codes. Hypertext links provide access to the original 14C age report associated with the samples, providing additional details. The 14C measurements were originally performed for earth and environmental science NERC projects and are therefore likely to be most relevant to the Quaternary research community.
14C Record and Wiggle-Match Placement for the Anatolian (Gordion Area) Juniper Tree-Ring Chronology ~1729 to 751 Cal BC, and Typical Aegean/Anatolian (Growing Season Related) Regional 14C Offset Assessment
Authors: Manning Sturt W , Kromer Bernd , Bronk Ramsey Christopher , Pearson Charlotte L , Talamo Sahra , Trano Nicole , Watkins Jennifer D
Published: July 2016

The East Mediterranean Radiocarbon (inter-)Comparison Project (EMRCP) has measured the 14C ages of a number of sets of tree rings from the Gordion Area dendrochronology from central Anatolia at the Heidelberg Radiocarbon Laboratory. In several cases, multiple measurements were made over a period from the 1980s to 2009. This paper presents the final data set from this work (128 high-precision measurements), and considers (i) the relationship of these data against the standard Northern Hemisphere 14C calibration data set (IntCal09), and (ii) the optimum calendar dating of this floating tree-ring record on the basis of the final set of high-precision 14C data. It finds good agreement between the Anatolian data and IntCal09 in some important intervals (e.g. ∼1729 to 1350 cal BC) and observes one period (9th–8th centuries BC) where there appears to be some indication of a regional/growing season signal, and another period (later 14th–13th centuries BC) where IntCal09 may not best reflect the real 14C record. The scale of the typical growing-season-related regional 14C offset (ΔR) between the Aegean/Anatolian region and IntCal09 is also assessed (for the mid-2nd millennium BC and mid-2nd millennium AD), and found to be usually minor (at times where there are no major additional forcing factors and/or issues with the IntCal09 data set): of the order of 2–4 ± 2–4 yr.
Radiocarbon Age Anomalies in Shell Carbonate of Land Snails from Semi-Arid Areas
Authors: Goodfriend Glenn A
Published: July 2016

Radiocarbon age anomalies, resulting from ingestion of old carbonate, were measured in shell carbonate of live-collected snails from arid and semi-arid areas of Israel and the West Bank. The age anomalies were found to be similar to those in land snails from other climatic regions and averaged ca 1600 yr in Trochoidea seetzeni, 2200 yr in Sphincterochila spp, 800 yr in Levantina sp, and 1700 yr in coastal dune species. The differences are associated with ecological differences among taxa. The uncertainties of the age anomalies average several hundred years within each group. This renders radiocarbon dates of late Holecene snails relatively imprecise, whereas it has almost no effect on the age uncertainties of relatively old samples (ie, those with large errors of measurement). Procedures for correction for fractionation are discussed.
Comments on “America's Oldest Basketry”
Authors: Connolly Thomas J , Cannon William J
Published: July 2016

A recent publication on directly dated basketry specimens from the western United States (Berger et al. 1998, Radiocarbon 40(2):615–20) contained some misleading information, and in a few cases discussed radiocarbon ages from unacknowledged sources. We provide the missing original citations along with some clarifications. We focus especially on the age of distinctive Fort Rock and Multiple Warp–style sandals, for which we provide additional previously unreported 14C ages. Direct dates on fibers from Fort Rock sandals from 3 different sites range in age from 10,500 cal BP to about 9200 cal BP. Contextual evidence suggests that Multiple Warp sandals may date as early as 6600 cal BP, but the few directly dated specimens are less than 1000 yr old.
Dating Organic Temper of Ceramics By Ams: Sample Preparation and Carbon Evaluation
Authors: Gomes Denise C , Vega Oscar
Published: July 2016

We describe a new methodology for separating organic temper from archaeological ceramics from Brazilian Amazonia. These experimental procedures were designed to directly date ceramic samples by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). An evaluation of the total carbon indicates the samples’ potential for dating.
University of Cambridge Natural Radiocarbon Measurements XI
Authors: Switsur V. R. , West R. G.
Published: July 2016

The measurements presented in this paper were carried out at the University Radiocarbon Dating Research Laboratory during the second half of 1971 using carbon dioxide counting. The counting equipment used was substantially that described by Switsur, Hall, and West (1970). Oxidation of samples of sufficiently high carbon content was performed in a stainless steel high pressure combustion bomb, developed at this laboratory, otherwise by ‘wet’ oxidation using acidified permanganate solutions for lake mud and samples of low organic content.
University of Rome Carbon-14 Dates X
Authors: Alessio M. , Bella F. , Improta S. , Belluomini G. , Calderoni G. , Cortesi C. , Turi B.
Published: July 2016

This list includes age measurements made from November 1970 to December 1971. All archaeologic and geologic samples come from Italian territory. Laboratory equipment, largely unchanged but expanded and technically improved, was previously described (Alessioet al., 1970a). Charcoal and wood samples underwent standard pretreatment by boiling with 5 to 10% HCl;α-labeled samples were given additional leaching with 6% NH4OH or 0.2N NaOH.
Rehovot Radiocarbon Measurements II
Authors: Kaufman A. , Carmi I. , Schlesinger R.
Published: July 2016

This list contains results obtained since July 1970. They are mainly hydrologic and geologic samples prepared and counted as described in our previous date list, (Carmi et al., 1971). The coordinate system used to describe sampling locations is the local one.
The Use of Bayesian Statistics for 14C Dates of Chronologically Ordered Samples: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Steier Peter , Rom Werner
Published: July 2016

Bayesian mathematics provides a tool for combining radiocarbon dating results on findings from an archaeological context with independent archaeological information such as the chronological order, which may be inferred from stratigraphy. The goal is to arrive at both a more precise and a more accurate date. However, by means of simulated measurements we will show that specific assumptions about prior probabilities—implemented in calibration programs and not evident to the user—may create artifacts. This may result in dates with higher precision but lower accuracy, and which are no longer in agreement with the true ages of the findings.
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Non-Soluble Carbon in Aerosol Particles from High Alpine Snow (Mt. Sonnblich, Austria)
Authors: Weissenbök Roland H , Currie Lloyd A , Gröllert Christina , Kutschera Walter , Marolf Julie , Priller Alfred , Puxbaum Hans , Rom Werner , Steier Peter
Published: July 2016

With an elaborate accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) technique radiocarbon measurements have been performed with aerosol carbon filtered from high alpine snow samples gathered consecutively at the high-altitude research station Sonnblick (3106 m, Eastern Alps, Austria) during a snow storm in April 1997. The concentration of the water-insoluble carbonaceous material in the molten snow was on the average 310 μg C/L and the total sample amounts for analysis were in the range of 35 μg to 60 μg C. Using a special background correction procedure tested on similar amounts of an urban particulate standard sample the accuracy of the corrected and normalized 14C/12C isotopic ratios of the snow aerosol samples was in the order of 4% to 14% of the measured ratios. The water-insoluble carbonaceous material of five samples from Mt. Sonnblick exhibited a weighted mean of 74 pMC (percent Modern Carbon) with a range of 64 pMC to 88 pMC. Thus, it appears that about 64% of non-soluble carbon in high alpine snow from Sonnblick was of biogenic origin. The temporal variations of the 14C/12C isotopic ratios of the snow aerosol samples were statistically significant, suggesting alterations in the contribution of specific aerosol sources.
La Jolla Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VI
Authors: Bien G. S. , Pandolfi L. J.
Published: July 2016

The following list of measurements contains selected results obtained by the La Jolla Radiocarbon Laboratory from November 1966 to July 1971. During the same period 382 measurements were made on tree-ring-dated wood in studying secular variations of the atmospheric C14 level and of the absolute radiocarbon time scale [Suess, 1970a, 1970b]. Results of these measurements are not included here. Also not included are 124 measurements of C14 determinations in extraterrestrial material and results of other occasional investigations will be published elsewhere.
Trondheim Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VI
Authors: Nydal Reidar , Gulliksen Steinar , Lövseth Knut
Published: July 2016

This date list covers most of the datings made during 1968 to 1970. Each sample is measured in one of the two counters described previously (R., 1970, v. 12, p. 205-237).
University of Texas At Austin Radiocarbon Dates IX
Authors: Valastro S. , Davis E. Mott , Varela Alejandra G.
Published: July 2016

This laboratory is now a branch of the Texas Memorial Museum of the University of Texas at Austin. This list reports C14 measurements made in projects completed between October 1969 and August 1971. A number of major projects are still in progress and are to be reported later. Age calculations are based on C14 half-life of 5568 yr and modern standard of 95% of NBS oxalic acid. Deviations reported are based on counting statistics of sample, background, and modern, and are ±1σ except that when sample count approaches either modern or background, 2σ limits are reported. Except where noted, C12/C13 measurements have not been made, and results are not corrected for C13 fractionation. The laboratory uses liquid scintillation counting of benzene, with Li2C2 and vanadium-activated catalyst in preparation; chemical yields average 88%. The counter is a Packard TriCarb Model 3002.
Riken Natural Radiocarbon Measurements VIII
Authors: Yamasaki Fumio , Hamada Chikako , Hamada Tatsu Ji
Published: July 2016

The 14C dates given below are continued from our previous list (R, 1972, v 14, p 223–238), and results obtained mainly during 1971–2 are described. A 2.7L stainless steel counter and a 3.3L copper counter are used as previously, yielding background counting rates of 6.9 and 6.0 cpm, respectively, when filled with dead CO2 at ca 1.8 atm. Dates have been calculated on the basis of the 14C half-life of 5568 yr and 95% of NBS oxalic acid is modern standard. No correction has been made for any of the samples in this list.
Southern Methodist University Radiocarbon Date List I
Authors: Haynes Vance , Haas Herbert
Published: July 2016

The SMU Radiocarbon Laboratory is operated by the Department of Geological Sciences within the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man. One laboratory room contains the benzene synthesis system where samples are pretreated and converted to CO2 in a standard way and gas is purified after the procedures of Broecker (1957) by passage through hot CuO, 10% AgNO3 solution, chromic acid, hot copper, and P2O5 via cryogenic pumping with liquid nitrogen. Purified CO2 is then converted to Li2C2 which is hydrolized to C2H2 and converted to C6H6 catalytically following the procedures of Noakes et al (1966). Carbon dioxide and benzene yields are routinely in excess of 90% in both cases.
University of Saskatchewan Radiocarbon Dates VI
Authors: Rutherford A A , Wittenberg J , McCallum K J
Published: July 2016

This series reports some of the measurements made since the previous list. Methods essentially remain as described in Saskatchewan II (R, 1960, v 2, p 73) with expanded facilities and new electronic equipment since 1973. The laboratory operates commercially, administered by the Saskatchewan Research Council under the direction of A A Rutherford.