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Border Cave revisited: a revised ESR chronology.
1Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. rainer.grun@anu.edu.au
Journal of Human Evolution
|May 24, 2001
Summary
Electron spin resonance (ESR) dating of Border Cave has been revised, yielding older age estimates. These new ESR dates align well with other dating methods, suggesting sedimentation began approximately 200,000 years ago.
Area of Science:
- Paleochronology
- Archaeological Science
- Geochronology
Background:
- Border Cave holds significant paleoanthropological importance.
- Previous Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dating provided an initial chronology.
- Advances in dating methodologies necessitate chronological revisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To revise the ESR chronology of Border Cave.
- To improve the accuracy of age estimates for sedimentary layers.
- To reconcile ESR dates with independent dating techniques.
Main Methods:
- Revised total dose rate estimations using detailed gamma ray survey data from 1994.
- Incorporation of newly calculated beta attenuation data.
- Comparison of revised ESR dates with Carbon-14 (¹⁴C) and amino acid racemization (AAR) estimates.
Main Results:
- Total dose rate estimations were found to be 0–30% smaller than previously calculated.
- Resulting ESR age estimates are 0–30% older than initial determinations.
- New ESR dates for the 5 WA (white ash) layer suggest sedimentation initiation around 200,000 years ago.
- Revised ESR dates demonstrate good agreement with independent age estimates.
Conclusions:
- The revised ESR chronology for Border Cave is more robust and consistent with independent dating.
- Sedimentation at Border Cave commenced approximately 200,000 years ago.
- Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dating, when refined, provides reliable geochronological data for archaeological sites.