C-14 DATING OF CREMATED BONES: THE ISSUE OF SAMPLE CONTAMINATION

Recent comparative studies have proven the validity of radiocarbon dates of cremated bones. The issue of sample contamination has, however, been overlooked in most Studies. Analyses of cremated bone samples has shown that in some cases, cremated bones are contaminated. This contamination is more distinct near the surface of the bones and depends on the compactness of the cremated bone as well its on the site conditions. delta C-13 is not a good estimator to discriminate between contaminated and uncontaminated hones. An acetic acid pretreatment is the most appropriate method to clean samples. but it is better to remove the surface and to avoid cremated bones that are not entirely white (cremation temp. <725 degrees C).