Dating methods for sediments of caves and rockshelters with examples from the Mediterranean Region

Abstract

A wide range of potential dating methods may be applied to archaeological deposits found in caves and rockshelters, depending on the nature of the deposit and age range of the deposit. Organic sediments, including faunal and floral material, can be dated by radiocarbon (AMS and high-sensitivity beta-counting). Many karstic features contain speleothems which can be dated with high accuracy by U-series. Wind-blown detritus, where it is the dominant constituent of the cave deposits, can be dated by luminescence (TL, OSL, or IRSL), taking care to avoid material fallen into the deposits from the shelter/cave walls. Fireplaces contain burned rocks (including stone artifacts) which can be dated by TL. Enamel from the teeth of mammals is present in most sites, representing either animal residents of the shelter, or residues from food brought to the shelter by human residents. Electron spin resonance (ESR) dating of enamel is applicable over a wide time range, with high accuracy and reasonable precision where uranium accumulation in teeth is low, but with lower precision where uranium content in teeth is high. In general, multiple dating methods applied to a site may resolve ambiguities arising from uncertain model assumptions in some dating methods. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.