Species specific Marine Radiocarbon Reservoir Effect: A comparison of Δ R values between Patella vulgata (limpet) shell carbonate and Gadus morhua (Atlantic cod) bone collagen

Russell, N., Cook, G. , Ascough, P. , Barrett, J.H. and Dugmore, A. (2011) Species specific Marine Radiocarbon Reservoir Effect: A comparison of Δ R values between Patella vulgata (limpet) shell carbonate and Gadus morhua (Atlantic cod) bone collagen. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38(5), pp. 1008-1015. (doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2010.11.015)

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Abstract

A number of recent studies of the UK coastal environment have assessed the 14C marine radiocarbon reservoir effect (MRE) via quantification of ΔR values for several periods throughout the Holocene using marine mollusc shells. However, none have employed fish bone as the marine sample, and the importance of being able to use this material as a reliable dating tool is evident when considering the boom in the British fish trade during the first millennium AD, the so-called ‘fish event horizon’, and the corresponding volume of fish remains that appear in the archaeological record from this time. This study compares ΔR values derived using the multiple paired sample approach employing burnt cereal grain (Hordeum sp.) as the terrestrial sample and either fish bone [North Sea cod (Gadus morhua)] or marine shell [limpet (Patella vulgata)] as the marine sample. The results show a general trend of increasing ΔR for the fish bone compared to shell, however, the differences are not statistically significant when the standard error for predicted values is used as the measure of variability in the ΔR values.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Cook, Professor Gordon and Ascough, Dr Philippa
Authors: Russell, N., Cook, G., Ascough, P., Barrett, J.H., and Dugmore, A.
Subjects:G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Journal of Archaeological Science
Publisher:Academic Press
ISSN:0305-4403
ISSN (Online):1095-9238
Published Online:02 December 2010

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