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Comments on the Meadowcroft Rockshelter Radiocarbon Chronology and the Recognition of Coal Contaminants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Kenneth B. Tankersley  and
Cheryl Ann Munson
Kenneth B. Tankersley
Affiliation:
Quaternary Studies Program, Research and Collections Center, Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL 62703
Cheryl Ann Munson
Affiliation:
Archaeology, Research and University Graduate School, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
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Abstract

Early 14C dates from Meadowcroft Rockshelter have engendered debate on the antiquity of human occupation in North America. Although the investigators of this important site conclude that particulate and nonparticulate contamination have not affected the radiocarbon dates, several points of confusion remain in regard to the question of coal contamination. We clarify these issues, provide comparative data from other sites, and recommend specific tests that are necessary to negate or support the issue of "dead carbon" contamination of radiocarbon samples.

Resumen

Resumen

Fechas tempranas obtenidas por el método de carbono-14 para el abrigo rocoso de Meadowcroft han generado controversias sobre la antigüedad de la ocupación humana en América del Norte. Los investigadores de este importante sitio sostienen que losfechados no han sido afectados por contaminación particular ni no-particular. Sin embargo, queda aún por clarificar la posible contaminación por carbón de piedra. En el presente artículo clarificamos este punto, ofrecemos datos comparativos provenientes de otros sitios, y recomendamos pruebas específicas que son necesarias para refutar ofundamentar la posible contaminación de las muestras radiocarbónicas con "carbón muerto."

Type
Comments
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 57 , Issue 2 , April 1992 , pp. 321 - 326
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1992

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