I. A. Law

The radiocarbon dating of bone

Abstract Diagenetic changes in bone are liable to cause erroneous radiocarbon dates on bone because of the mixing of sample and environment C atoms they can bring about. Likewise, radiocarbon dating can provide information on the extent of such mixing. The processes involved which may mix chemically, physically, or biologically the C atoms of the sample are outlined, and the methods used in practice to reverse this mixing are described. The most suitable methods depend on the state of preservation of the bone, the type of environment, and the radiocarbon content; bones are classified according to different categories, and the appropriate methods indicated for each category. It is clear that the more difficult cases are at present not reliably dated, and must await a better understanding of the chemistry of diagenesis.

Radiocarbon accelerator (AMS) dating of Lindow Man

‘Pete Marsh’, the bog body from Lindow Moss in Cheshire that is properly called ‘Lindow 2’, has given remarkable research opportunities. One of these-perhaps less expected-has been the study of the considerable discrepancies in the suites of dates for the body obtained by two radiocarbon laboratories. The laboratories think this is a specific anomaly which has no implications for any other dates, but one may wonder how many other anomalies would declare themselves if more sites had so many determinations that should relate to the same event.