In anthropology and archaeology, a carbon sample usually refers to organic material (charcoal, bone, shell, plant remains) collected for radiocarbon dating. It’s a cornerstone of archaeological science because it allows researchers to establish chronological frameworks for human activity.
🌍 Definition
- Carbon Sample: Any organic artifact or ecofact containing carbon isotopes (especially (^{14}C)) used for dating or chemical analysis.
- Radiocarbon Dating: Measures the decay of radioactive carbon-14 to estimate the age of organic remains up to ~50,000 years old.
🔑 Anthropological & Archaeological Contexts
- Dating Sites:
- Charcoal from hearths → dates human occupation.
- Bone collagen → dates burials or faunal remains.
- Shells and seeds → dates subsistence practices.
- Cultural Reconstruction:
- Carbon samples help build timelines of settlement, agriculture, and ritual.
- Calibration:
- Raw radiocarbon dates must be calibrated against tree-ring chronologies and other records to account for fluctuations in atmospheric (^{14}C).
- Limitations:
- Contamination (modern carbon intrusion) can skew results.
- Reservoir effects (e.g., marine samples) require correction.
📚 Importance in Anthropology
- Chronology: Provides absolute dates for prehistoric and historic events.
- Subsistence Studies: Carbon samples reveal what people ate (charred seeds, bones).
- Environmental Reconstruction: Charcoal layers can indicate fire use, climate, or vegetation change.
- Comparative Value: Radiocarbon dating revolutionized archaeology by replacing relative dating methods.
In short: A carbon sample is organic material collected for radiocarbon dating, crucial for establishing archaeological timelines and reconstructing human activity.
