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Direct dating of pottery from its organic residues: new precision using compound-specific carbon isotopes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

R. Berstan ,
A.W. Stott ,
S. Minnitt ,
C. Bronk Ramsey ,
R.E.M. Hedges  and
R.P. Evershed
R. Berstan
Affiliation:
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Bristol Biogeochemistry Research Centre, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK (Email: [email protected])
A.W. Stott
Affiliation:
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Bristol Biogeochemistry Research Centre, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK (Email: [email protected]) Present address: CEH–Lancaster, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
S. Minnitt
Affiliation:
Somerset County Museum, Taunton Castle, Castle Green, Taunton, TA1 1AA, UK
C. Bronk Ramsey
Affiliation:
Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, Oxford University, Dyson Perrins Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
R.E.M. Hedges
Affiliation:
Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, Oxford University, Dyson Perrins Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
R.P. Evershed*
Affiliation:
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Bristol Biogeochemistry Research Centre, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK (Email: [email protected])
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Extract

Techniques for identifying organic residues in pottery have been refined over the years by Professor Evershed and his colleagues. Here they address the problem of radiocarbon dating these residues by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) which in turn dates the use of the pot. Fatty acids from carcass and dairy products cooked in the pot were isolated from early Neolithic carinated bowls found at the Sweet Track, Somerset Levels, England, and then dated by AMS. The results were very consistent and gave an excellent match to the dendrochronological date of the trackway. The method has wide potential for the precise dating of pottery use on sites.

Keywords

EnglandSomerset LevelsNeolithicpotteryorganic residuesfatty acidsradiocarbondendrochronology
Type
Research Article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 82 , Issue 317 , September 2008 , pp. 702 - 713
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2008

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