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Scientific article
English

Detecting stratigraphical issues using direct radiocarbon dating from small‐mammal remains

Published inJournal of Quaternary Science, vol. 35, no. 4, p. 505-513
Publication date2020
Abstract

Frequently preserved in archaeological and palaeontological sites, the tiny size of small‐mammal remains favours percolations into underlying layers along stratigraphic sequences. This is one of the various postdepositional processes that may affect the integrity of the original deposits and therefore the subsequent scientific interpretations. Recent developments in sample preparation offer the possibility of detecting intrusive episodes through the absolute dating of minute amounts of bone (down to 10 mg), meaning that isolated elements (such as mandibles in this case) are sufficient to obtain reliable radiocarbon dates if collagen is moderately to well preserved. The radiocarbon dates obtained here for small‐mammal bones (recovered from pre‐Bølling to recent deposits) and their comparison with previous dates obtained from other sources (large‐mammal bones, charcoal, botanical samples, etc.), with different protocols and instruments, illustrate the potential of small‐mammal dating to reveal (and eventually contribute a solution to) stratigraphical issues in different archaeological contexts.

Keywords
  • Radiocarbone
  • Préhistoire
  • France
  • Absolute dates
  • Archaeology
  • Intrusive episodes
  • Small mammals
  • Stratigraphic sequences
Citation (ISO format)
ROFES, Juan et al. Detecting stratigraphical issues using direct radiocarbon dating from small‐mammal remains. In: Journal of Quaternary Science, 2020, vol. 35, n° 4, p. 505–513. doi: 10.1002/jqs.3193
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ISSN of the journal0267-8179
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