Reliability of Nitrogen Content (%N) and Carbon:Nitrogen Atomic Ratios (C:N) as Indicators of Collagen Preservation Suitable for Radiocarbon Dating

• DOI: 10.1017/s0033822200047524
• Publication Date: 2016-07-20T05:17:04Z
• Authors: Fiona Brock; Rachel Wood; Thomas F G Higham; Peter Ditchfield; Alex Bayliss; Christopher Bronk...
• Keywords: Carbon fibers; Human bone

A recent study into prescreening techniques to identify bones suitable for radiocarbon dating from sites known poor or variable preservation (Brock et al. 2007, 2010a) found that the percent nitrogen (%N) content of whole bone powder was most reliable indicator collagen preservation. Measurement %N is rapid, requires little preparation material, and relatively cheap. The technique reduces risk needlessly sampling valuable archaeological objects, as well saving time money on their unsuccessful pretreatment prior dating. This method now regularly used at Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU). In original study, linear regression analysis data 100 12 Holocene across southern England showed when 0.76% N chosen a threshold, 84% were successfully identified containing sufficient (i.e. >1%) insufficient <1%) However, it has been observed older, Pleistocene failure rate may be higher, possibly due presence more degraded, short-chain proteins pass through ultrafilters in pretreatment, resulting lower yields. Here, we present nearly 600 human animal bones, antlers, teeth, wide range contexts ages, determine whether threshold previous still applicable. potential carbon:nitrogen atomic weight ratios (C:N) predict also discussed.