University of Wisconsin Radiocarbon Dates XVIII

Abstract

Procedures and equipment have been described in previous date lists. Except as otherwise indicated, wood, charcoal, and peat samples are pretreated with dilute NaOH-Na4P2O7 and dilute H3P04 before conversion to the counting gas methane; marls and lake cores are treated with acid only. Very calcareous materials are treated with HC1 instead of H3P04.

Maize Recovered at La Ponga, an Early Ecuadorian Site

“…In the absence of a volcanic cap, stone pavements or perfectly sealed burials, it is difficult to imagine a more secure cultural association for the Machalilla botanical remains. The three radiocarbon dates from La Ponga (see Bender et al [1981]) were taken from between the clay caps or from within them. They were associated strictly with pottery that varied from early to late in the Machalilla sequence as defined by Lippi (1982).…”

Reply to Custer

“…For example, maize and buffalo skulls play important roles in historic rituals (Hall, 1997:21, 27, 54-55, 77-78, 82, 84, 90-92, 100, 106). Conversely, maize arrived late during Ohio Hopewell (Conard et al, 1984;Ford, 1987;Riley et al, 1994) and probably was not all that important to them (Bender et al, 1981). It could not have played an important role in the development of the Ohio Hopewell calumet ceremony, because it was not present during the early part of Ohio Hopewell when platform pipes first started to be made.…”