Journal of Archaeological Science 36 (7)

Targeted soda straw stalactites for U-series dating, using specimens from palaeontological excavations at Blanche Cave, South Australia. Advocates the collection of soda straw stalactites at future excavations of limestone cave sites in order to provide more robust chronologies.

Presents a case study aimed at correlating archaeological 'events' (obtained from radiocarbon measurements and dendrochronology) from the site of Sutton Common with a radiocarbon-dated pollen sequence obtained from a palaeochannel deposit adjacent to the area of the main archaeological activity. Demonstrates the use of a Bayesian approach to quantifying whether the timing of palynological 'events' interpreted as reflecting anthropogenic impacts are likely to be associated with archaeological 'events'. The value of the methodology is discussed in relation to quantifiable and robust correlations of archaeological and palaeoenvironmental narratives of landscape and human activity.

Argues that there is no ambiguity in the existing empirical support for a GIUR as a robust predictor of mass lost from flakes through unifacial retouching. Attempts to demonstrate why the GIUR is a reliable method for inferring mass loss, in appropriate circumstances, and why it is a more powerful predictor of mass loss than touted competitors. Contends that Eren, M.I., Sampson's, G. [2009. Kuhn's Geometric Index of Unifacial stone tool Reduction (GIUR): does it measure missing flake mass? J. Archaeol. Sci.] arguments are faulty and that researchers should use the GIUR in preference to other methods of estimating the extent of unifacial retouch.

The incorporation of plant biomass into soil usually leads to long-chain n-alkanes with a relative predominance of odd carbon numbered homologues. Contrastingly, an increase in short-chain even carbon numbered n-alkanes was found in charred biomass with progressing temperatures. Lipid analysis was applied to buried ancient topsoils that contained charred organic matter and to corresponding control soils, which were characterised by a lighter colour and lower contents of charred materials. Commonly, the proportion of lipid extracts was found to be lower in the ancient soil than in the control samples, which indicated an enhanced degradation of organic matter, for example by thermal degradation. All samples displayed a particular pattern of short-chain and even carbon numbered n-alkanes (maximum at n-C16 or n-C18). The ratios CPI (carbon preference index) and ACL (average chain length) for the investigated soil samples matched the ratios found for maize and rye straw charred at 400°C or 500°C, respectively. These molecular ratios indicate the presence of charred biomass. The predominance of short-chain and even carbon numbered n-alkanes was a result of thermal degradation of biomass. The degradation products were preserved in ancient soils and could be applied as molecular markers in archaeological or palaeoenvironmental research.