Resolving an Anomolous Radiocarbon Determination on Mastodon Bone from Monte Verde, Chile
2005; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 70; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/40035873
ISSN2325-5064
AutoresDebra George, John Southon, R. E. Taylor,
Tópico(s)Paleopathology and ancient diseases
ResumoPrevious 14 C determinations obtained on two segments of a single mastodon bone recovered from Monte Verde, Chile, were highly discordant, differing by more than 5,000 years. Because of the significance of this site in discussions concerning the earliest peopling of the Western Hemisphere, additional 14 C and new δ 13 C values have been obtained on organic fractions isolated from both segments. The constituent amino acid profiles indicate that both bone segments retain significant amounts of protein (mostly collagen) residues. Four accelerator mass spectrometry-based 14 C values obtained on total amino acids and ultrafiltered gelatin fractions—two from each segment—are statistically identical and indicate an age of 12,460 (± 30) BP for the mastodon. This value is concordant with 14 C values obtained on other culturally affiliated organics associated with the MV-II levels at this site.
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