Electron spin resonance dating of human teeth from the Namu burial ground, Taumako, Solomon Islands

Abstract

Dentine sampies of 50 mg were drilled from the pulp cavity region ofhuman incisors from aseries ofburials on the Po1ynesian outlier ofTaumako in the Solomon Islands. Electron~pin resonance (ESR) spectra were obtafned, and the height ofthe peak near g = 2.002 compared with that for an interna1 ruby standard was used for dating purposes. The 15 archaeologica1 specimens fit into a tight chronological sequence, and the age of the buria1 ground was dated by radiocarbon to A.D.1530 ± 50 years. Where independent stratigraphic information exists on the relative ages of burials, the ESR results are in the correct relative order; Calculated age differences between these burials are as low as 2 years.

Biocultural interpretations of trauma in two prehistoric Pacific Island populations from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

“…A volume on the archeology of the island has recently been published (Leach and Davidson, 2008). Previous published papers have focused on pathology and material culture (Whitehead et al, 1986;Davidson and Leach, 1991;Buckley, 2000Buckley, , 2001Buckley and Tayles, 2003a,b).…”

Dietary patterns during the late prehistoric/historic period in Cikobia island (Fiji): insights from stable isotopes and dental pathologies

“…In contrast, chewing abrasive material may mechanically remove calculus deposits [46,86] and so the presence of calculus in all the Korotuku dentitions suggests consumption of food of low abrasive quality. For instance, the association of calculus deposits and minimal tooth wear has been observed in the late prehistoric (300e 850 years BP [154]) skeletons from Namu (Solomon Islands [45]). However, the examination of a series of data from 15 Mariana Islands samples compiled by Pietrusewsky et al [111] indicates all kinds of combinations of levels of calculus deposit and occlusal surface wear, demonstrating that there is a complex relationship between calculus accumulation and tooth wear.…”

Cortical index of three prehistoric human Pacific Island samples

“…Fifteen of the 226 individuals from the mound have been dated using electron spin resonance to ca. 530–350 BP (Whitehead et al ., 1986). Namu is the largest sample of human skeletal remains from the western Pacific Islands and has been the focus of an in‐depth investigation into health and disease.…”