Two independent methods for dating rock art: Age determination of paint and oxalate layers at Eagle Cave, TX
| Autor: | Trinidy Allen, Carolyn E. Boyd, Karen L. Steelman |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
Total organic carbon
010506 paleontology Archeology geography geography.geographical_feature_category 060102 archaeology Geochemistry 06 humanities and the arts 01 natural sciences law.invention Style (visual arts) Cave Stratigraphy law 0601 history and archaeology Radiocarbon dating Rock art Accretion (geology) Geology 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Accelerator mass spectrometry |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Archaeological Science. 126:105315 |
| ISSN: | 0305-4403 |
| Popis: | This study demonstrates a novel approach to overcoming challenges associated with obtaining reliable radiocarbon dates for rock paintings. Using two independent methods, we obtained ages for Pecos River style paintings at Eagle Cave in Langtry, Texas. The first method employed plasma oxidation to isolate organic carbon directly from the paint layer for accelerator mass spectrometry C-14 measurement. The second method treated mineral accretion layers with phosphoric acid to isolate calcium oxalate for plasma oxidation cleaning, combustion, and C-14 measurement to obtain minimum and maximum ages for the paintings. Radiocarbon dates for the paintings are statistically indistinguishable, with a weighted average of 3280 ± 70 years BP calibrated to 1740-1420 cal BC (3690-3370 cal BP) at 2 sigma (95.4%) probability. Radiocarbon assays obtained for the overlying accretion layers are younger and underlying accretion layers are older. The chronological stratigraphy of the accretion and paint layers supports the validity of both dating methods. With accurate and reliable dating methods, rock paintings in the region can be studied alongside excavated cultural deposits to provide a more complete understanding of this hunter-gather society. These methods for dating rock paintings can be applied to many rock art provinces around the world. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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