An Overview of the Use of Absolute Dating Techniques in Ancient Construction Materials

Sanjurjo-Sánchez, Jorge

doi:10.3390/geosciences6020022

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…It is also a typical Group B sample with low C content, high DISCREP and large proportion of microbial SOM in the extract. However, its age is considerably older (AGE EX 2620 cal BP, AGE RES 5810 cal BP) than the other samples from agricultural settings and, as in the case of the Montealegre mortar, it is probably not representative of the age of the construction of the pavement but of original constituents of the fabric used for manufacturing (Sanjurjo-Sánchez 2016).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Molecular Fingerprinting of¹⁴C Dated Soil Organic Matter Fractions from Archaeological Settings in NW Spain

et al. 2018

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This paper evaluates the complexities of radiocarbon (14C) dates from soil organic matter (SOM) in archaeological scenarios. The aqueous NaOH-insoluble residual SOM from Neolithic to medieval sites in NW Spain produced consistently older calibrated14C ages than NaOH-extractable SOM. Using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation (THM-GC-MS), we analyzed the molecular composition of these SOM fractions, aiming to understand the differences in14C ages and to gain insight on SOM dynamics in relation to age fractionation. The molecular composition of the NaOH-extractable SOM, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of total SOM, has a larger proportion of microbial detritus than the NaOH-insoluble SOM. This might suggest that the discrepancies between the two fractions is due to microbial rejuvenation in the extractable fraction, leading to14C results that are younger than the activity that is to be dated. However, archaeological evidence presented here unambiguously shows that the14C age of the extractable SOM provides the more accurate age for the targeted activity, and that the insoluble fraction contains inherited old carbon. After statistical data evaluation using Partial Least Squares-Regression (PLS-R), it is concluded that this inherited SOM is a mixture of Black Carbon from wild and/or domestic fires and recalcitrant aliphatic SOM.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Moreover, the post-construction physico-chemical environment is different from that of soils. Neither SOM EX nor SOM RES could provide a reliable date for the construction of the wall; rather they would represent either the age of the organic material used for the mortar (Sanjurjo-Sánchez 2016).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Fingerprinting of¹⁴C Dated Soil Organic Matter Fractions from Archaeological Settings in NW Spain

et al. 2018

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“…Previous research has shown that the reuse of bricks originating from older structures was a frequent practice (for instance: Galli et al 2004;Bailiff et al 2010;Guibert et al 2012Guibert et al , 2019. That is the reason why we have been focusing on lime mortar dating for some years, as we consider that it is directly related to the construction (Zacharias et al 2002;Goedicke 2003Goedicke , 2011Martini and Sibilia 2006;Feathers et al 2008;Gueli et al 2010;Sanjurjo-Sanchez 2016;Panzeri et al 2019;Sanjurjo-Sanchez et al forthcoming). The basic premise of mortar dating by OSL is that quartz in the sand used for making lime mortar is optically zeroed during the preparation process (optical bleaching).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Light Exposure of Quartz Grains During Mortar Making: Consequences for Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dating

et al. 2020

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Dating lime mortar shows great potential for establishing the chronology of a construction. The basic premise of mortar dating by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) is that quartz in the sand used for making mortar has been optically zeroed during the preparation process (optical bleaching). The moment to be dated is the last exposure of sand grains to light, before being embedded within the masonry and hidden from light. However, the main problem is the frequent partial and heterogeneous bleaching of grains, and this led us to use the single grain technique (SG-OSL) systematically. Some theoretical and experimental aspects of a new statistical treatment (the EED model, as exponential exposure distribution) are detailed and discussed. Our experience shows that SG-OSL dating of mortars is successful in a majority of situations. In a minority of cases (around 15%) difficulties originate when there is inappropriate OSL behavior of grains, and thus OSL dating is not possible. In the other cases, good agreement was obtained between OSL ages and the reference ones for a series of samples from a variety of ages and situations, even in the case of poorly bleached material. Anyway, the present situation of OSL dating methodology justifies the systematic use of SG-OSL in the dating of masonry today.

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“…The question of time (and dating of events) has a preeminent role in Lyell's work and in [2] human artefacts are considered as potential elements for dating geologic formations (and their absence in older formations is considered an indication of the recent origin of humans). The papers of Sanjurjo-Sánchez [14] and of Straulino-Mainou and collaborators [15] continue this tradition, in these cases using geologic materials or materials derived from geologic sources as tools for dating built structures.…”

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confidence: 98%

“…Other papers in this Special Issue [14][15][16][17] reflect the architectural and cultural value of other geologic materials (including materials derived from geologic materials).…”

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confidence: 99%

Developing Lyell’s Legacy: Contributions to the Geosciences of the Anthropocene

Alves

2016

Geosciences

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In this new edition of the Geoscience of the Built Environment [1], we hope to continue our contribution to the development of Geosciences studies in the Anthropocene, considering classical issues that are at least as old as Charles Lyell's major works [2,3], which can be considered the founding literary works of modern Geology. The Anthropocene is currently being discussed as a possible Unit in the Geological Time Scale [4], and its definition is still a controversial issue [5]. It has also been proposed that the Anthropocene marks the end of "a time of great epistemic stability" [6] and that new approaches and ways of thinking will be necessary [6,7]; a question that is also implicitly considered in a forthcoming issue of this journal [8].The Geosciences of the future (as is discussed in the proposal of [8]), done in the Anthropocene, will have to go beyond the geological record and embrace studies on the relations between humans and Earth, including the evolution of built objects due to geological processes. I will attempt to discuss some of the kinds of issues to be considered using the papers of this Special Issue and in the light of the major works of Lyell (attempting to show the links of these issues to the founding concepts of Geology).In the Principles of Geology [2], Charles Lyell presented Geology as "the science which investigates the successive changes that have taken place in the organic and inorganic kingdoms of nature; it inquiries into the causes of these changes, and the influence which they have exerted in modifying the surface and external structure of our planet". In the Manual of Elementary Geology [3], Lyell justifies the concern of Geology with the superficial portions of the planet (crust) given that "although the dimensions of such a crust are, in truth, insignificant when compared to the entire globe, yet they are vast, and of magnificent extent in relation to man, and to the organic beings which people our globe" (the highlight of the relevance to humans is clear).Lyell presents in [3] several examples of how to relate terrain features to geological structures. Lyell also considered, in [2], diverse examples of the effects of geologic phenomena on human structures (such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and geomorphological processes) but also examples of how human action can affect geological processes. In a case that illustrates how human actions could influence natural processes which might affect human structures and activities, Lyell refers [2] to a certain rock terrain that was "quarried for lime to such an extent that the sea broke through, and in 1795 carried away the whole village in one night, and penetrated 150 yards inland, where it has maintained its ground ever since, the new village having been built farther inland on the new shore". The paper by Theilen-Willige and collaborators [9] uses several modern techniques to "read" features from the terrain in relation to the possible impact of human structures on seismicity (which might have impacts on other human structures)...

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An Overview of the Use of Absolute Dating Techniques in Ancient Construction Materials

Cited by 5 publications

References 66 publications

Molecular Fingerprinting of¹⁴C Dated Soil Organic Matter Fractions from Archaeological Settings in NW Spain

Molecular Fingerprinting of¹⁴C Dated Soil Organic Matter Fractions from Archaeological Settings in NW Spain

Modeling Light Exposure of Quartz Grains During Mortar Making: Consequences for Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dating

Developing Lyell’s Legacy: Contributions to the Geosciences of the Anthropocene

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An Overview of the Use of Absolute Dating Techniques in Ancient Construction Materials

Cited by 5 publications

References 66 publications

Molecular Fingerprinting of14C Dated Soil Organic Matter Fractions from Archaeological Settings in NW Spain

Molecular Fingerprinting of14C Dated Soil Organic Matter Fractions from Archaeological Settings in NW Spain

Modeling Light Exposure of Quartz Grains During Mortar Making: Consequences for Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dating

Developing Lyell’s Legacy: Contributions to the Geosciences of the Anthropocene

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Molecular Fingerprinting of¹⁴C Dated Soil Organic Matter Fractions from Archaeological Settings in NW Spain

Molecular Fingerprinting of¹⁴C Dated Soil Organic Matter Fractions from Archaeological Settings in NW Spain