14C terrestrial ages of nine Antarctic meteorites using CO and CO2 temperature extractions

As a continuation of the work reported in R. P. BEUKENS et al. (Proc. NIPR Symp. Antarct. Meteorites, 1,224,1988), a suite of Yamato and Trans-Antarctic Mountains meteorites have been analyzed for their ^C content, to give an estimate of their terrestrial age. Further information on the samples\u27 terrestrial history may be obtained from analysis of separate carbon species evolved at different temperatures. We report on data obtained from CO and CO_2 separations from a low temperature (500℃ to 900℃) and high temperature (≈1600℃) fraction from each sample. Three Allan Hills meteorites, ALH-77232 (H4), ALH-78112 (L6) and ALH-78130 (L6), give terrestrial ages >29000 years, and probably represent limit ages due to in situ production. Three other Trans-Antarctic meteorites, BTN-78002 (L6), MET-78028 (L6) and RKP-78002 (H4), give finite ^C ages between 15000 and 27000 years. Three Yamato meteorites, Y-8011 (L6), Y-81132 (H5) and Y-82095 (L3), give ages between 16000 and 22000 years. The low temperature components indicate that recent weathering and atmospheric exchange has taken place for at least four (and possibly six) of the meteorites; ALH-78112,ALH-78130 and Y-81132 have low temperature activities that suggest an earlier exposure and weathering

Une occupation de la fin du Dernier Maximum Glaciaire dans les Pyrénées : le Magdalénien inférieur de la grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne)

International audienceThe excavations by R. and S. Saint-Périer at the Grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne, France) in 1923-1924 yielded archaeological material attributed to the Magdalenian. The re-examination of this old collection now allows a more precise characterization of it, in light of recent research on this period. This article presents the different artefact types found (lithic and osseous tools, faunal remains, personal ornaments, portable art items and one sandstone lamp) in order to consider all activities documented at the site. Particular attention is given to typological and technological data, the analyses of which point to a Lower Magdalenian chronological attribution. A SMA 14C date shows that occupation took place around 16,000 years BP (19,400 years cal BP) at the Grotte des Scilles. The identification, for the first time, of a Lower Magdalenian presence in the Pyrenees raises new questions concerning Magdalenian occupation at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum in southwestern France and northern Spain.Les fouilles menées par R. et S. Saint-Périer dans les années 1920 à la grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne) ont livré un ensemble de vestiges attribués au Magdalénien. L'étude de cette collection ancienne offre désormais la possibilité de préciser cette caractérisation à la lumière de travaux récents sur cette période. La présentation des différentes catégories de vestiges (industries lithique et osseuse, faune, parure, art mobilier et lampe) permet d'appréhender l'ensemble des registres d'activités documentés sur le site. En particulier, cet article présente les éléments typo-technologiques qui fournissent des arguments pour rattacher l'occupation de cette cavité au Magdalénien inférieur. Une date 14C par SMA situe cette période autour de 16 000 BP (19 400 cal BP) à la grotte des Scilles. La mise en évidence de ce premier jalon pyrénéen conduit ensuite les auteurs à discuter du peuplement magdalénien à la fin du dernier maximum glaciaire dans le sud-ouest de la France et le nord de l'Espagne

Hannibal's trek across the alps: Geomorphological Analysis of sites of geoarchaeological interest

International audienceA ~2200 year-old question related to Hannibal's invasion route across the Alps into Italia, has been argued by classicists without recovery of material evidence. A comparison of topographical descriptions in the ancient literature with environmental parameters in the Alps, attempted here for the first time, provides a database against which various pathways can be assessed. Identification of sites using geological, geomorphological, astronomical, chemical and petrological methods leads to the exclusion of certain transit points and targeting of others where geoarchaeological excavation might yield important evidence related to the military culture of ancient Carthage

High-Precision Intercomparison at IsoTrace

From the International Workshop on Intercomparison of Radiocarbon Laboratories.I conducted a high-precision comparison at the 0.2% to 0.3% level with samples supplied by the radiocarbon laboratory of the Quaternary Research Center at the University of Washington (QRC). Four samples with ages ranging from modern to > 50,000 BP were dated in a blind test. The absence of cosmic-radiation background in AMS dating is a major advantage for dating samples > 35,000 BP. The reliability of AMS dates > 35,000 BP depends entirely on understanding the contamination processes. By comparing results with laboratories capable of sample enrichment, such as QRC, it is possible to identify and estimate the intrinsic 14C in the background samples as well as the contamination introduced by sample preparation.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

Progress at the IsoTrace Radiocarbon Facility

From the 12th International Radiocarbon Conference held in Trondheim, June 24-28, 1985.Since August 1984 over 100 samples have been analyzed. 12C, 13C, and 14C isotopes were measured after acceleration and all dates were corrected for natural and preparation-induced fractionation. A precision of better than 1.0% was obtained for samples 10,000 yr BP or less and these results were shown to be reproducible at precision levels as low as 0.3%. An accuracy of better than 1.0% was demonstrated for the same age range by analyzing samples which were previously dated with the conventional technique. The machine background, measured on blank sample holders in a clean ion source, yielded a count rate equivalent of 0.015 +/- 0.007% modern.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

Radiocarbon Dates from Neolithic and Bronze Age Hunter-Gatherer Cemeteries in the Cis-Baikal Region of Siberia

Extensive radiocarbon dating of human remains from Neolithic and Bronze Age hunter-gatherer cemeteries in the Cis-Baikal region of Siberia has been undertaken as a part of the multidisciplinary examination of this material conducted by the Baikal Archaeology Project (BAP; http:// baikal.arts.ualberta.ca). Due to the large number of analyzed samples, this paper reports the 14C results only in the context of the basic archaeological information about each of the cemeteries. Comprehensive evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of this entire data set will be undertaken in separate publications. In fact, the dates for one such cemetery have already been examined on 2 recent occasions (Weber et al. 2004, 2005).The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

: The Magdalenian of the Grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne, France). First results of the pluridisciplinary study of the Saint-Périer collection.

National audienceThe re-examination of the archeological material from the grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne; Saint-Périer excavations) led to its characterization as a very original assemblage within the context of the Pyrenean Magdalenian. This article presents the different artefact types – lithic and osseous tools, faunal remains, personal ornaments and one sandstone lamp – in order to understand the living habits of the hunter-gatherers who occupied the site. We first give a brief description of the site, located at the junction of the Aquitaine plain and the Pyrenees mountains, and of the 85-year-old excavations. The first results of the analysis are then presented along with comparisons at the larger regional scale. These elements allow us to characterize the assemblage as belonging to the Lower Magdalenian, an archeological phase previously unknown in the Pyrenees.La révision du matériel de la grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne, fouilles Saint-Périer) a permis de remettre au jour un ensemble original pour le Magdalénien pyrénéen. Ce travail pluridisciplinaire présente les différents témoins archéologiques - industries lithique et osseuse, faune, parure, lampe en grès - afin d'appréhender les comportements des groupes de chasseurs-cueilleurs ayant occupé ce gisement situé à l'interface entre la plaine aquitaine et les Pyrénées. Après une présentation sommaire du site et des travaux qui s'y sont déroulés voilà 85 ans, nous proposons les premiers résultats des différentes études, ainsi que des éléments de comparaison extra-régionale, aboutissant à l'attribution de cette collection au Magdalénien inférieur, phase jusqu'ici méconnue dans les Pyrénées

: The Magdalenian of the Grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne, France). First results of the pluridisciplinary study of the Saint-Périer collection.

National audienceThe re-examination of the archeological material from the grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne; Saint-Périer excavations) led to its characterization as a very original assemblage within the context of the Pyrenean Magdalenian. This article presents the different artefact types – lithic and osseous tools, faunal remains, personal ornaments and one sandstone lamp – in order to understand the living habits of the hunter-gatherers who occupied the site. We first give a brief description of the site, located at the junction of the Aquitaine plain and the Pyrenees mountains, and of the 85-year-old excavations. The first results of the analysis are then presented along with comparisons at the larger regional scale. These elements allow us to characterize the assemblage as belonging to the Lower Magdalenian, an archeological phase previously unknown in the Pyrenees.La révision du matériel de la grotte des Scilles (Lespugue, Haute-Garonne, fouilles Saint-Périer) a permis de remettre au jour un ensemble original pour le Magdalénien pyrénéen. Ce travail pluridisciplinaire présente les différents témoins archéologiques - industries lithique et osseuse, faune, parure, lampe en grès - afin d'appréhender les comportements des groupes de chasseurs-cueilleurs ayant occupé ce gisement situé à l'interface entre la plaine aquitaine et les Pyrénées. Après une présentation sommaire du site et des travaux qui s'y sont déroulés voilà 85 ans, nous proposons les premiers résultats des différentes études, ainsi que des éléments de comparaison extra-régionale, aboutissant à l'attribution de cette collection au Magdalénien inférieur, phase jusqu'ici méconnue dans les Pyrénées

Radiocarbon Age Assessment of a New, Near Background Iaea 14

The 14C Quality Assurance Programme coordinated by the IAEA (Rozanski  et al. 1992) prepared a set of five new intercomparison materials, including 40-50 ka old subfossil wood excavated from New Zealand peat bogs (IAEA C-4 standard). Statistical analysis of 79 14C measurements made on the wood indicated considerable variation in the results, with a marked skewness toward more modern values. The wide range of results and the possibility of inhomogeneity within the standard prompted the recovery and analysis of replacement material. The new subfossil wood sample is kauri (Agathis australis), at least 50 ka old, excavated from a swamp in Northland. It is in the form of a single plank, 6 m long, weighing 80 kg. It will be forwarded to the IAEA in Vienna for milling and distribution. Subsamples were obtained from both ends of the plank and analyzed by six laboratories. We present here the results of these analyses and compare them with the previous IAEA intercalibration results for the C-4 standard.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202