The destroyed hunebed O2 and the adjacent TRB flat cemetery at Mander (Gem. Tubbergen, province Overijssel)

In 1957 Dr C.C.W.J. Hijszeler excavated the remains of the destroyed megalithic tomb O2 near Mander. Apart from a few short notes the results have not been published. In 1995 the provincial archaeologist, A.D. Verlinde, re-excavated the site, in order to locate the destroyed tomb precisely prior to the construction of an oblong earthen mound on the site, and to establish the quality of any remaining evidence. Both authors participated in the excavation. The 1995 excavation enabled the complete reconstruction of the ground plan of the megalithic chamber, due to the discovery of the foundation pit of the eastern end stone, and the elucidation of the character of some sub-recent features recorded in 1957. An unexpected discovery was that of a number of TRB flat graves and of pits with TRB pottery adjacent to the megalithic tomb. The finds from the destroyed hunebed have been sorted and described, but unfortunately not illustrated either as drawings or as photos due to a lack of manpower and finance. The finds from the flat graves and pits containing pottery excavated in 1995 are illustrated here, however. The decorated pottery from the hunebed belongs largely to Brindley’s Horizons 3 and 4, but two typical Horizon 5 pots are preserved as well. In the spread of sherds in front of the entrance to the tomb Horizon 2 pottery was discovered, suggesting that the hunebed may have been constructed during that Horizon. The pottery from the flat graves next to the hunebed belongs partly to Horizon 4, but largely to Horizon 5, indicating that this flat grave cemetery started during the last phase of use of the hunebed, but stayed in use for some time after the last burial in the hunebed. 59 94 45/46

The present state of dendrochronology and tree ring calibration of the Late Glacial, and the inglorious end of the "Achterberg-wiggle"

In our paper on Late Glacial and Late Upper Palaeolithic chronology in the Netherlands and adjacent areas we also looked for indications of the existence of wiggles in Late Glacial peat deposits with multiple radiocarbon dates (Lanting & Van der Plicht, 1995/96: 79- 83). In a 1.8 m thick peat deposit near Achterberg, studied by the Rijks Geologische Dienst and provided with 17 14C-dates (ibid.: 81, Table 2 and Fig. 7) such an indication seemed to be present. During the earlier part of the Allerød period six samples in sequence suggested a sudden change in atmospheric 14C-content: first a strong increase resulting in 14C-ages dropping from 12,050±90 BP (sample 12) to 11,550±80 BP (sample 11) to 10,740±60 BP (sample 10), next a decrease resulting in 14C-ages of 11,070±60 BP (sample 17), 11,260±60 BP (sample 16) and 11,540±70 BP (sample 9). The Achterberg samples received thorough AAA pre-treatment. Carbon percentages and δ13C values were calculated for all samples. No indications for contamination were found. Of samples 9 and 10 the alkali soluble fractions were also dated: 10,870±90, resp. 10,520±90 BP. Clearly some downward transport of younger humic substances had taken place, but that was to be expected. Although a wiggle of c. 1000 radiocarbon years was and is highly unlikely, and no counterparts were known in the then available calibration curve (Kromer & Spark, 1998), the existence could not be fully excluded. And an ‘Achterberg’ wiggle seemed to explain a number of aberrant 14C-age determinations of archaeological material

Dating of Cremated Bones

When dating unburnt bone, bone collagen, the organic fraction of the bone, is used. Collagen does not survive the heat of the cremation pyre, so dating of cremated bone has been considered impossible. Structural carbonate in the mineral fraction of the bone, however, survives the cremation process. We developed a method of dating cremated bone by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), using this carbonate fraction. Here we present results for a variety of prehistoric sites and ages, showing a remarkable success rate for this method.

MESOLITHIC AND NEOLITHIC (DIS)CONTINUITIES IN THE DANUBE GORGES: NEW AMS DATES FROM PADINA AND HAJDUCKA VODENICA (SERBIA)

In this paper we present 17 new AMS dates from the Mesolithic–Early Neolithic sites of Padina and Hajdućka Vodenica and discuss the continuity and nature of occupation at them in the context of the Mesolithic–Neolithic transformations in the Danube Gorges region (north-central Balkans), c.10000–5500 Cal BC. The dates indicate long occupation sequences and help refine the stratigraphies of the two sites. They, also enable us to date architectural features, burial positions and bone/antler tools, and to further our understanding of the impact of the noted aquatic reservoir effect on radiocarbon dating of human and dog remains from this region. Finally, these dates suggest continuity of occupation at sites other than Lepenski Vir in the Danube Gorges at the time of the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition, c.6300–5950 Cal BC