Bear dentine aspartic acid racemization analysis: a proxy for the dating of Pleistocene cave infills

A high correlation between chronometric determinations based on aspartic acid racemization ratios and radioactive dating methods is described from samples of cave bear (Ursus deningeri and Ursus spelaeus) dentine. For samples from a very restrictive environment, as deep cave bear sites are (in view...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archaeometry 2002-08, Vol.44 (3), p.417-426
Main Authors: De Torres, T., Ortiz, J. E., Llamas, F. J., Canoira, L., Juliá, R., García-Martínez, M. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Excavation and methods
Laboratory methods
Methodology and general studies
Physical and chemical analysis
Prehistory and protohistory
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Summary:A high correlation between chronometric determinations based on aspartic acid racemization ratios and radioactive dating methods is described from samples of cave bear (Ursus deningeri and Ursus spelaeus) dentine. For samples from a very restrictive environment, as deep cave bear sites are (in view of their highly stable geochemical and thermal history), an age calculation algorithm was obtained. It has been found that there is a very close relationship between collagen preservation, from total aspartic acid in the > 3500 D fraction, and the amino acid racemization.
ISSN:0003-813X
1475-4754
DOI:10.1111/1475-4754.t01-1-00074