Radiocarbon dating in archaeology: Interdisciplinary aspects and consequences (an overview)

Palincaş, Nona

doi:10.1063/1.4984870

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Figure 3 shows the average and standard deviations of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic results of dentin collagen with their C/N ratios. The stable isotopic results of carbon and nitrogen (δ 32 Since the diet by tradition varies geographically, and is based on different primary products derived from plants with different 13C content, the amounts in tissues will vary accordingly. 33 Agricultural practices differ globally, which in conjunction with cultural preference for certain dietary products is responsible for people consuming food with varying stable isotopic values.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios reveal geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala skeletal remains: A forensic anthropological study

Sehrawat

Rai²

2023

Med Sci Law

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Stable isotope analysis from bones and teeth has been widely used to estimate the likely geographic locations and dietary status of individuals whose osseous remains have been retrieved from some forensic or bio-archaeological contexts. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures can provide insights into geographic affinity and dietary habits. Ajnala skeletal remains represent a serious crime against humanity committed in past by colonial rulers and by amateur archaeologists of modern times. In present study, isotopic concentrations of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) estimated from 21 mandibular molars have been used to estimate the local or non-local status of badly damaged skeletal remains retrieved from an abandoned well at Ajnala (India). The collagen samples having C/N ratio within range of 2.8–3.6 were considered as well-preserved and non-contaminated ones. The isotope concentrations of carbon and nitrogen varied from −18.7‰ to −22.9‰ and +7.6‰ to +11.7‰, with an average of −20.49 ± 1.2‰ and +9.31 ± 1.1‰, respectively. The analysis of the obtained isotope values reflected the consumption of C3/C4 mixed diet by majority of the individuals, and such type of dietary habits are mainly restricted to the reported Indo-Gangatic plain of India to which slain soldiers reportedly belonged to. These observations corroborated the previous observations about the geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala individuals. Though C and N isotopes are by and large not the confirmed/direct indicators of geographic origin, they can provide corroboratory information to support other observations narrowing down the dietary habits of individuals of certain specific geographical regions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios reveal geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala skeletal remains: A forensic anthropological study

Sehrawat

Rai²

2023

Med Sci Law

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“…All reported carbon and nitrogen isotope values are averaged values based on duplicate analysis and are reported in 'permil' (‰) and were calibrated to VPDB and AIR, respectively, using USGS40 and USGS41 (Coplen, 2011). Purely terrestrial diets show the stable carbon isotope values, δ 13 C = −21.5‰ (Palincaș, 2017). Since the diet by tradition varies geographically, and is based on different primary products derived from plants with different 13C content, the amounts in tissues will vary accordingly (Schoeller et al 1986).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable C and N isotope analysis of human dental remains retrieved from an ancient well at Ajnala (Punjab, India): Assessment of Dietary status and geographic affiliations

Sehrawat

Sankhyan

Dutt

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Stable isotope analysis of biogenic tissues like tooth and bone has become a widely recognized and increasingly important method for provenance of human remains, particularly in bio-archaeological and forensic investigations. Establishing the dietary status and identity of unknown human skeletal remains retrieved from forensic anthropological contexts is a challenging task. Thousands of unknown human osseous remains along with the personalized contextual items, reportedly belonging to 282 Indian soldiers killed in 1857, were excavated non-scientifically from an abandoned well at Ajnala (Amritsar, India). In present study, the isotopic concentrations of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were estimated from the dentine collagen extracted from 21 first molars to provide information about the geographic affinity and dietary status of the individuals killed in Ajnala. As diagenesis affects bone more severely than enamel or dentine due to increased porosity of the former, so teeth were preferred to bones for stable isotope analysis in present study. The literature supported C: N range of 2.8-3.6 was considered as cut-off for the well-preserved collagen and the samples with values outside this range were considered to be altered or contaminated with non-collagenous materials. The interpretation of the obtained isotope values from Ajnala teeth samples indicated the consumption of C3/C4 mixed diet (though some samples showing marine diet) by the victims which supported the previous observations about the dietary status of Ajnala victims estimated from prevalence of various dental pathologies. Though C and N isotopes are generally not the best indicators of geographic origin, they can be used to for the purpose only if they show different dietary inputs of C3 and C4 plants. Present study results provided scientific confirmation to the written historical accounts that Ajnala skeletal remains belonged to the individuals belonging to the Indian states of Awadh (north-eastern Uttar Pradesh), Bihar and Bengal and some norteastern states.

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“…Therefore, these previous studies have dates with standard errors ranging from ± 20 to ± 110, whereas the La Ventilla dates have standard errors ranging from ± 20 to ± 30. Additionally, the accuracy of 14 C dates from Beramendi-Orosco et al (2009, 2020), which come from charcoal, lime plasters, and wood beams, may be affected by the “old wood problem” (Palincaș 2017). Dates from the La Ventilla samples, which come from human skeletal remains, are likely to be more accurate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refining Ceramic Chronology and Epiclassic Reoccupation at La Ventilla, Teotihuacan Using Trapezoidal Bayesian Modeling

et al. 2023

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Accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) dates (n = 78) from human bone collagen were analyzed in the largest high-resolution chronology study to date at the ancient city of Teotihuacan in central Mexico (ca. AD 1–550). Samples originate from the residential neighborhood of La Ventilla, located in the heart of this major urban center. Here, a trapezoidal model using Bayesian statistics is built from 14C dates combined with data derived from the stylistic analysis of ceramics from burial contexts. Based on this model, we suggest possible refinements to Teotihuacan’s ceramic chronology, at least within the La Ventilla neighborhood. We also explore the abandonment and reoccupation of La Ventilla after the political collapse of Teotihuacan in the Metepec and Coyotlatelco phases. Findings suggest that these ceramic phases began earlier than is currently projected and that the well-documented abandonment period of La Ventilla may have occurred more abruptly than originally estimated.

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Radiocarbon dating in archaeology: Interdisciplinary aspects and consequences (an overview)

Cited by 5 publications

References 38 publications

Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios reveal geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala skeletal remains: A forensic anthropological study

Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios reveal geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala skeletal remains: A forensic anthropological study

Stable C and N isotope analysis of human dental remains retrieved from an ancient well at Ajnala (Punjab, India): Assessment of Dietary status and geographic affiliations

Refining Ceramic Chronology and Epiclassic Reoccupation at La Ventilla, Teotihuacan Using Trapezoidal Bayesian Modeling

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Radiocarbon dating in archaeology: Interdisciplinary aspects and consequences (an overview)

Cited by 5 publications

References 38 publications

Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios reveal geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala skeletal remains: A forensic anthropological study

Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios reveal geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala skeletal remains: A forensic anthropological study

Stable C and N isotope analysis of human dental remains retrieved from an ancient well at Ajnala (Punjab, India): Assessment of Dietary status and geographic affiliations

Refining Ceramic Chronology and Epiclassic Reoccupation at La Ventilla, Teotihuacan Using Trapezoidal Bayesian Modeling

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Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios reveal geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala skeletal remains: A forensic anthropological study

Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios reveal geographic affinity and dietary status of Ajnala skeletal remains: A forensic anthropological study