Methodological research into the reliability of calcined bone for radiocarbon dating the Final Palaeolithic and Mesolithic

The construction of refined chronologies for the Final Palaeolithic and Mesolithic within the Rhine-
Meuse-Scheldt area is currently hampered by a lack of reliable radiocarbon dates. This is mainly due
to a bad preservation of organic remains, such as human and animal bones, organic tools and
plants. Generally only burnt organic remains, such as charcoal, carbonized hazelnut shells and
calcined bones can be used for obtaining radiocarbon dates. Yet, their dating has serious limitations.
Dating charcoal is controversial as its anthropogenic character is difficult to prove. On the other
hand dating hazelnut shells is limited to sites belonging to the Early Mesolithic. As a result, only
calcined bones can offer a solution, were it not that the reliability of these organic remains has not
yet been fully demonstrated.
The principal aim of this project is to test whether calcined bones constitute a reliable material for
radiocarbon dating Final Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites. This will be done by conducting a
systematic and extensive intercomparative study, using hazelnut shell dates as reference dates,
unprecedented within European prehistoric research. If the result would be negative, testing will be
extended to radiocarbon dating of tiny fragments of organic residue, sometimes preserved on lithic
tools. The results of this study will be relevant not just for the RMS area but for all study-areas
lacking unburnt organic remains worldwide