Radiocarbon dating of two old African baobabs from India

Area of Science:

• Dendrochronology
• Radiocarbon Dating
• Arboreal Science

Background:

• African baobabs (Adansonia digitata) are iconic trees with significant ecological and cultural importance.
• The age of many ancient baobabs remains unverified due to a lack of precise dating methods.
• Two notable African baobab specimens in northern India, the Jhunsi baobab and the Parijaat tree at Kintoor, have historical significance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To accurately determine the age of the baobab of Jhunsi and the Parijaat tree at Kintoor using scientific methods.
• To establish a precise age for these ancient baobabs to understand their longevity.
• To ascertain if these trees represent the oldest dated African baobabs outside of Africa.

Main Methods:

• AMS radiocarbon dating was employed to analyze multiple wood samples extracted from both baobab trees.
• Radiocarbon dates were obtained for the oldest samples from each tree.
• Calibrated ages were calculated from the radiocarbon dates to provide calendar year estimations.

Main Results:

• The oldest wood samples from the Jhunsi baobab yielded a radiocarbon date of 779 ± 41 BP.
• The oldest wood samples from the Parijaat tree at Kintoor yielded a radiocarbon date of 793 ± 37 BP.
• The calibrated ages for the Jhunsi and Kintoor baobabs are approximately 770 ± 25 and 775 ± 25 calendar years, respectively, indicating an age of around 800 years.

Conclusions:

• Both the Jhunsi baobab and the Parijaat tree at Kintoor are approximately 800 years old.
• These findings confirm that these two baobabs are the oldest dated African baobabs located outside of the African continent.
• The study provides valuable data on the age and distribution of ancient baobab populations.