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A compound – specific radiocarbon dating protocol for archaeological pottery at the ORAU
Date: May 7, 2025 (Wed)
Time: 17:00 – 18:30 HKT
Online via Zoom | Register now
Speaker:
Dr. Qian Ma
Research Associate
Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit
School of Archaeology
University of Oxford
A compound – specific radiocarbon dating protocol for archaeological pottery at the ORAU
Date: May 7, 2025 (Wed)
Time: 17:00 – 18:30 HKT
Online via Zoom | Register now
Speaker:
Dr. Qian Ma
Research Associate
Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit
School of Archaeology
University of Oxford
Title:
A compound – specific radiocarbon dating protocol for archaeological pottery at the ORAU
Speaker:
Dr. Qian Ma
Research Associate
Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit
School of Archaeology
University of Oxford
Date/Time:
May 7, 2025 (Wed) 17:00 – 18:30 HKT
Venue:
Via Zoom
Language:
English
Enquiry:
Title:
A compound – specific radiocarbon dating protocol for archaeological pottery at the ORAU
Speaker:
Dr. Qian Ma
Research Associate
Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit
School of Archaeology
University of Oxford
Date/Time:
May 7, 2025 (Wed) 17:00 – 18:30 HKT
Venue:
Via Zoom
Language:
English
Enquiry:
Radiocarbon dating plays a pivotal role in establishing reliable chronologies in both archaeological and paleoenvironmental studies, spanning the last 55,000 years. Pottery, pervasive in the archaeological record, offers a crucial avenue for dating human activity during the Holocene. Traditionally, radiocarbon dating of pottery has involved the targeting of different carbonaceous fractions, e.g., temper, or by measuring associated materials like bone and charcoal. Inaccuracies can arise, however, if the targeted fraction does not reflect the timing of vessel use or if there are stratigraphic ambiguities. Over the past decades, researchers have pursued an alternative avenue; leveraging lipid residues, particularly fatty acids absorbed into pottery walls during the processing and storage of plant and animal-derived foods, for radiocarbon dating. This approach holds promise for delivering highly accurate measurements directly correlating to vessel use. At the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, efforts have been made to refine this methodology through compound-specific radiocarbon dating of pottery, employing gas chromatography (GC)- preparative fraction collector (PFC). Here, we delineate the developed methodology and present preliminary findings, including analyses conducted on pottery samples sourced from an archaeological site with a well-established chronology.
aims to provide a platform for scholars, students, and enthusiasts to discuss and share knowledge about archaeology, its importance, recent discoveries, research methods, and its significance in understanding the past. The series aims to promote awareness, education, and appreciation for archaeology among academia and the general public and foster a sense of curiosity and interest in exploring our shared human history.
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