Radiocarbon Dating of Early Dynastic Mesopotamia: Results, Limitations, and Prospects

Abstract

This paper describes the results of Bayesian modeling of radiocarbon dates from Early Bronze Age contexts in Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day southern Iraq. The model uses 14C dates available in the literature, employing archaeological and textual information to correlate contexts from a number of important Mesopotamian sites. The insufficient number of dates makes it impossible to precisely define the chronology of the period in question; however, the analysis allows for observing patterns of cultural change otherwise invisible in archaeological and textual records. Firstly, it is suggested that there was a hiatus of at least a century between the latest protocuneiform texts and the earliest historical writing. Furthermore, the results seem to argue against a steady, gradual evolution of literate civilizations, indicating a more complex and varied process of development.

Dating Ancient Canal Systems Using Radiocarbon Dating and Archaeological Evidence at Tello/Girsu, Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq

“…In general, the number of 14 C dates for Mesopotamia is limited (Wencel 2017) and due to poor preservation of organics, and financial considerations, shell radiocarbon dating has remained the go-to method (e.g., Jotheri 2016; Al Ameri and Briant 2018; Wilkinson and Jotheri 2021). Arguments generally put forward in favor of using shells in Mesopotamia diminish the potential impact of FRE for the following reasons (e.g., by Hritz et al (2012): there are no carbon outcrops in the vicinity of the site (Hritz et al 2012) or are deeply buried (Al Ameri and Briant 2018); correlations or corrections are not possible (no pre-bomb specimens or living specimens available) (Hritz et al 2012:75; Jotheri 2016:185–186); the marine reservoir effect from the Gulf is considered limited (Hritz et al 2012:75); the environmental context (not a lake or sea) is assumed not to cause a FRE (Hritz et al 2012:75).…”

“…In general, the number of 14 C dates for Mesopotamia is limited (Wencel 2017) and due to poor preservation of organics, and financial considerations, shell radiocarbon dating has remained the go-to method (e.g., Jotheri 2016;Al Ameri and Briant 2018;Wilkinson and Jotheri 2021).…”