Mineralogical Studies On Bone Apatite and Their Implications for Radiocarbon Dating

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9242250
AutoresAfifa A Hassan, John D Termine, C Vance Haynes (0000-0001-5529-9060)
Año1977
Volumen19
Número3
Páginas364-374
Fecha de publicación1977-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaRadiocarbon (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0033-8222 • E-ISSN: 1945-5755
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0033822200003684
OpenAlexW2501249565
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas62
Referencias citadas31

Infrared (IR) spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were conducted on modern and fossil bone material from archaeological sites in the U S to determine post-mortem changes in bone apatite and to evaluate the effect of these changes on radiocarbon dating. IR absorption bands, XRD peak-broadening parameters, and XRD unit cell measurements indicated that during fossilization, bone apatite, a mineral similar to dahllite, was partially or completely recrystallized to francolite. Post-mortem changes involved then removal of some of the endogenous crystal carbonate both at surfaces and at internal OH-sites and introduction of exogenous carbonate into internal crystal PO 4 sites. Increased fluorine content accompanied carbonate substitution. Both the carbon isotopic composition and the amount of exogenous carbonate introduced into the apatite structure will affect the radiocarbon dating of bone apatite. Special sample pre-treatment may remove most of the substituted carbonate in some cases. Simulated experiments are suggested for a better understanding of the nature and mechanism of carbonate substitution in bone apatite for the removal of the exogenously substituted carbon and the improvement of radiocarbon dates

Apatite · Calcite · Carbon fibers · Carbonate · Fluorapatite · Geochemistry · Mineral · Mineralogy · Radiocarbon dating · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Chemistry · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Materials Science · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Geology · Paleontology