What's New

WHAT'S NEW?

AMS Radiocarbon Dating Paleoresearch Institute now provides full service AMS Radiocarbon Dating. In addition to the identification of charcoal prior to radiocarbon dating, we now process AMS radiocarbon samples and provide you with a date. We are proud to announce our collaboration with Dr. Thomas W. Stafford.

As well as working with the "normal" types of materials for AMS dating, R. A. Varney, of Paleoresearch Institute, has developed a method for extracting microscopic pieces of charcoal from sediment samples that may then be processed fully for AMS radiocarbon dating. We have used this method to provide dates for levels in stratigraphic columns. We advocate processing sediments to recover microscopic charcoal, rather than dating humates, since it results in a date comparable to dating larger pieces of charcoal and avoids problems associated with humate or "bulk" dates.

Archaeoclimatic Modeling uses macrophysical models and is generated on a computer for your specific site area. We combine modeling with stratigraphic examination of pollen (and phytoliths) to produce a more comprehensive understanding of the paleoenvironment. In addition, this modeling can provide valuable information concerning movement of people within or between areas. We can model temperature, precipitation, "water budget", snowfall, storm intensity, river discharge, and a variety of different parameters that will add a dramatic new dimension to interpreting the lives of people, particularly in relation to their landscape and paleoenvironmental conditions

Starch granules are relatively new, at least reporting of starch granules is new. Starches may be present as the result of economic activity, such as processing domesticates like maize, or native foods including grass seeds and starchy roots/tubers. Starch granules are recovered during normal pollen and phytolith processing and their recovery, identification, and interpretation is included in the pollen and phytolith prices.

PET starchy fragments recovered in macrofloral analyses may be subjected to acid digestion to recover starch granules and/or silica phytoliths that assist in identifying the charred PET starchy fragments. Charred PET starchy fragments are recovered during flotation or may be sent for analysis as botanic specimens.

Identifying maize to race. This capability is being developed. It relies on phytoliths recovered from maize cobs, cupules, or glumes and utilizes computer imaging. Phytolith analysis of hearth samples might substantiate use of cobs as fuel in hearths.

Ceramic Residue Analysis. Ceramic sherds containing apparently charred residue should be submitted to Paleo Research for removal of residue for analysis. This residue might contain phytoliths (and perhaps starches) that can identify the foods cooked. Race of maize might be addressed and identification of other grasses should be possible with this analysis.

Identifying the presence of beans. Bean pods produce hook-shaped hairs that are recoverable and identifiable in the phytolith record. They have been recovered in abundance in Anasazi coprolites. Few phytolith samples are examined from the American Southwest, so there is little evidence of the presence of hook-shaped bean hairs in features or on floors. We hope to change this through the analysis of more phytolith samples from the American Southwest.

Identifying charcoal prior to radiocarbon dating. We are identifying charcoal recovered from archaeological and stratigraphic proveniences prior to submission for radiocarbon dating. The advantage is that you know exactly what wood is being dated -- whether it is a short-lived shrub or a long-lived tree. You have a better idea of whether you might be dealing with an "old wood" problem or not. Dates on single types of wood generally are "tighter" than dates on the mixed assemblage of charcoal recovered from the site.

Paper Chromatography. We plan to use this technique to identify food residues. It may be employed in the study of residues adhering to ceramics or other samples that are suspected to represent food residues. At present we are in the experimental stage with this technique. We'll establish pricing when we adopt the technique as part of our suite of analyses.

Diatoms, Molluscs, Ostracods, and Foraminifera (Forams). We identify these remains, interpreting evidence to reconstruct paleoenvironments, as well as modern environments. Working with these data bases enhances our ability to interpret ancient environments and to recognize human impact on local environments.

Updated 09-27-06

Email
Dr. Linda Scott Cummings

Phone
(303)277-9848

Fax
(303)462-2700

Paleo Research Institute
2675 Youngfield Street
Golden, Colorado
80401