14C-AMS as a tool for archaeological investigation: Implications for Human Settlement in South America. 14C-AMS as a tool for archaeological investigation: Implications for Human Settlement in South America

DOS SANTOS G, FABRA M. LAGUENS AG, DEMARCHI DA, GEORGE D, SOUTHON JR, TAYLOR RE

Piauí, Brasil

Simposio; The peopling of the Americas International Symposium.; 2006

Fundaçao Museu do Homem

In this paper, we present an overview of 14C methods, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS)techniques, and their applications to radiocarbon dating of archaeological sites in South America.We describe sample preparation methods to be applied to archaeological bone samples as wellas useful sample selection strategies to help achieve reliable AMS-based 14C results. Applicationof criteria to determine bone quality (to assess lack of alteration and degradation) before andduring sample preparation, and the use of a modified ultrafiltration method to extract collagenfrom these kinds of materials have enabled us to obtain reliable radiocarbon results. Twoapplications will be presented to illustrate these issues: a) Paleodietary inferences from isotopicmeasurements on human bone and teeth from the populations of the central mountains ofArgentina, and b) the implication of new 14C determinations obtained from two segments of asingle mastodon bone recovered from Monte Verde, that previously differed by more than 5,000years.