AMS Radiocarbon Dating of Bones at Arizona

Abstract

Modern bone contains ca 25% protein material, most of which is collagen. Amino acids separated from collagen isolated from bone are suitable for 14 C dating of fossil bone, but attempts to carry out this procedure on bones seriously depleted in protein can yield erroneous 14 C dates. Amino-acid analysis of fossil bone gives quantitative information on the degree of preservation of its organic component. Also, the relative abundance of the amino-acid components reveal the degree to which the collagen-like pattern has been altered. Alteration may be caused by addition of extraneous material. A 1mg sample of bone material is sufficient for this preliminary analysis. We have developed a series of acceptance criteria for whether a particular specimen is likely to yield the correct 14 C age. 14 C dating of fossil bones not seriously depleted in protein is a straightforward procedure and yields reliable dates.