Comparison of Radiometric Dating Techniques: Pacific Northwest
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Radiocarbon Dating, Thermoluminescence Dating, Archaeology
Abstract
Radiometric dating is problematic in non-midden sites of the Pacific Northwest. Charcoal is ubiquitous in the forest soils and unburned bone readily dissolves. This fact impedes development of regional chronologies and understanding of the process of resource intensification that was so important to development of Northwest cultures. To alleviate this deficiency, DirectAMS and Central Washington University undertook research to demonstrate the validity of alternatives to traditional radiocarbon dating of charcoal and bone, by using radiocarbon dating of calcined bone and luminescence dating. Calcined bone (i.e., bone burned in excess of 600°C) survives well in archaeological sites with acidic soils that are common to archaeological contexts along the Northwest Coast and has been found in the Old World to provide accurate radiocarbon dating. Luminescence dating can be applied to fire-cracked rock, which is common, particularly in food processing features. We developed a protocol for comparing calcined bone and luminescence dates with charcoal dates, taking all from the same features contexts. The comparison of the radiocarbon dating of charcoal and calcined bone to the luminescence dating of fire-cracked rock identifies the differences in the events that each medium dates and their association with the cultural activity associated with the cooking features. Results were compared for seven sites, demonstrating the validity of this approach to solving the region’s dating dilemma.
Recommended Citation
Brown, James, "Comparison of Radiometric Dating Techniques: Pacific Northwest" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 99.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/posters/99
Poster Number
45
Department/Program
Resource Management
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology & Museum Studies
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology and Museum Studies
Comparison of Radiometric Dating Techniques: Pacific Northwest
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Radiometric dating is problematic in non-midden sites of the Pacific Northwest. Charcoal is ubiquitous in the forest soils and unburned bone readily dissolves. This fact impedes development of regional chronologies and understanding of the process of resource intensification that was so important to development of Northwest cultures. To alleviate this deficiency, DirectAMS and Central Washington University undertook research to demonstrate the validity of alternatives to traditional radiocarbon dating of charcoal and bone, by using radiocarbon dating of calcined bone and luminescence dating. Calcined bone (i.e., bone burned in excess of 600°C) survives well in archaeological sites with acidic soils that are common to archaeological contexts along the Northwest Coast and has been found in the Old World to provide accurate radiocarbon dating. Luminescence dating can be applied to fire-cracked rock, which is common, particularly in food processing features. We developed a protocol for comparing calcined bone and luminescence dates with charcoal dates, taking all from the same features contexts. The comparison of the radiocarbon dating of charcoal and calcined bone to the luminescence dating of fire-cracked rock identifies the differences in the events that each medium dates and their association with the cultural activity associated with the cooking features. Results were compared for seven sites, demonstrating the validity of this approach to solving the region’s dating dilemma.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Steven Hackenberger, Patrick McCutcheon