Dating a type site: fitting Szeleta Cave into its regional chronometric context

Abstract

This paper considers the application of new dating strategies and protocols to the temporal position of Szeleta Cave, the Szeletian itself, and the Aurignacian of the Bükk mountains. In particular, it is advocated that the confusing chronological patterning seen for the Early Upper Palaeolithic of the Bükk mountains is largely the result of dating materials of uncertain anthropogenic origin and of incomplete removal of contaminants; hence we present here results of dating anthropogenically-modified bones, including bone, antler and ivory projectile points, using the ultrafiltration technique pioneered by the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit. The results have yielded a possible explanation for the confusing pattern of dates seen for Szeleta cave, and also helped to extend the earliest-known osseous projectile points back to 37/38 ka 14C BP through the use of direct dating