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Problems in Radiocarbon Dating Human Remains from Arid Coastal Areas: An Example from the Cape Region of Baja California

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

J. Eldon Molto ,
Joe D. Stewart  and
Paula J. Reimer
J. Eldon Molto
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1Canada
Joe D. Stewart
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1Canada
Paula J. Reimer
Affiliation:
Quaternary Research Center AK-60, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
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Abstract

Three AMS radiocarbon dates on bone collagen from Las Palmas culture human skeletons from the cape region of Baja California are analyzed. Carbon derived from both terrestrial and marine sources necessitates correcting the radiocarbon ages for reservoir effects. Complicating this, however, are (a) the uncertain percentage of carbon of marine origin in the samples and (b) the convergence of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, which differ markedly in reservoir values. Computer program CALIB 3.0.3c is used to correct and calibrate the conventional radiocarbon dates in a simulation using varied values for marine carbon and reservoir effects for each sample. This produces substantial variance in the results and, therefore, difficulties for chronological interpretation. For example, reasonable input values for dR and percent marine carbon yield dates that overlap the first European contact (A.D. 1533), despite the absence of historic documentation of the Las Palmas mortuary complex. Further research on reservoir effects and paleodiet is needed in order to interpret radiocarbon determinations on cape region human remains. Moreover, our findings have serious implications for the proper application of radiocarbon dating to samples from other regions subject to reservoir effects.

Se analizan tres fechamientos de radiocarbono de AMS en colàgeno de hueso de esqueletos de la cultura de Las Palmas de la región del cabo de Baja California. Carbón derivado de fuentes terrestres y fuentes marinas requiére corregir las edades de radiocarbono para corregir los efectos de depósito. Complicando esto, sin embargo, son (a) el porcentaje incierto de carbón de origen marine en las muestras y (b) la convergencia del Océano Pacífico y del Golfo de California, que difieren muchísimo en sus valores de depósito. Se usa el programa de computadora CALIB 3.0.3c para corregir y calibrar los fechamientos convencionales de radiocarbono en una simulación que emplea valores variados para el carbón marinoy efectos de depósito para cada muestra. Esto produce variación substancial en los resultados y, por lo tanto, dificultades para la interpretatión cronológica. Por ejemplo, valores razonables de entrada para ΔR y porcentaje de carbón marino producen fechamientos que remontan más alla del primer contacte europeo (d.C. 1533), a pesar de la ausencia de documentatión histórica de los complejos mortuorios de Las Palmas. Se necesita más investigatión sobre los efectos de depósito y paleodieta para interpretar determinaciones radiocarbónicas en los restos humanos de la region del cabo. Además, nuestros resultados tienen implicaciones sérias para la correcta aplicación de fechamiento a las muestras de otras regiones sujeta a efectos de depósito.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 62 , Issue 3 , July 1997 , pp. 489 - 507
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1997

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