MD dating: molecular decay (MD) in pinewood as a dating method

Area of Science:

• Wood science
• Archaeometry
• Paleoclimatology

Background:

• Accurate wood dating is crucial for historical research, archaeology, and paleoclimatology.
• Current methods like dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating have limitations.
• A novel approach utilizing molecular decay as a dating clock is explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a new wood dating method based on molecular decay.
• To assess the method's accuracy under specific preservation conditions.
• To compare the new method with existing wood dating techniques.

Main Methods:

• Development of models based on molecular decay rates in wood.
• Integration of data from construction wood, waterlogged wood, and wood from living trees.
• Analysis of molecular decay under controlled, specific preservation conditions.

Main Results:

• A model covering 7,500 years achieved a root mean square error (RMSE) of 682 years for single measurements.
• A refined model for the last 800 years yielded an RMSE of 92 years.
• Molecular decay demonstrated comparable speed as a dating clock under the studied conditions.

Conclusions:

• Molecular decay offers a viable dating clock for wood under specific preservation conditions.
• The method shows potential as an alternative or complementary dating technique.
• Further research is needed to expand the model's applicability to other preservation environments.