High-resolution radiocarbon dating of marine materials in archaeological contexts: radiocarbon marine reservoir variability between Anadara, Gafrarium, Batissa, Polymesoda spp. and Echinoidea at Caution Bay, Southern Coastal Papua New Guinea

Abstract

The remains of shellfish dominate many coastal archaeological sites in the Pacific and provide a wealth of information about economy, culture, environment and climate. Shells are therefore the logical sample type to develop local and regional radiocarbon chronologies. The calibration of radiocarbon ( 14 C) dates on marine animals is not straightforward, however, requiring an understanding of habitat and dietary preferences as well as detailed knowledge of local ocean conditions. The most complex situations occur where terrestrial influences impinge on the marine environment resulting in both the enrichment and depletion of 14 C (

Mid-Holocene Aboriginal occupation of offshore islands in northern Australia? A reassessment of Wurdukanhan, Mornington Island, southern Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

“…Samples were processed at Waikato Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation identified by the laboratory code prefixes WK and OZL respectively. Radiocarbon ages of Polymesoda (Geloina) erosa may appear too young given the unknown terrestrial carbon intake of each individual (see Petchey et al, 2013). The inclusion of these dates (Wk-30544, Wk-26682, Wk-23125, Wk-23126, Wk-23131) does not alter the model and presenting them at the 95.4% age range should capture this uncertainty.…”

Short-term late Holocene dry season occupation and sandy-mud flat focused foraging at Murdumurdu, Bentinck Island, Gulf of Carpentaria

“…Taxonomic identification was undertaken on all marine fauna present in the assemblage following standard zooarchaeological identification procedures (Reitz and Wing 2008). Shell and fish reference collections housed in the James Cook University Tropical Archaeology Research Laboratory (TARL) were used to assist in the identification of archaeological materials (see Tomkins et al 2013). For a detailed discussion of standard laboratory methods employed see Peck (2016:65-79).…”

“…Length measurements (mm) are also taken for intact skeletal elements for vertebrate MNI determinations. These measurements are compared to the TARL Fish Reference Collection to estimate body weight of archaeological fish specimens (see Tomkins et al 2013). Estimates are made using allometric formulas derived from known measurements of reference samples.…”

“…On average, the upper deposits contain lower χfd%, and this could reflect younger soils (see Rosendahl et al 2014b). Cshell values suggest little interaction with terrestrial carbon sources, with carbonates being built primarily from marine reservoirs (see Petchey et al 2013).…”

“…These values are evenly scattered throughout the entire range with 38% (n = 5) within 1σ and 62% (n = 8) within 2σ, while the remaining 38% (n = 5) are outside 2σ. Despite this spread, δ 13 Cshell values are relatively positive suggesting that carbonates were primarily constructed from marine DIC (see Petchey et al 2013).…”