23 charcoal samples from seven excavation sites have been sent to the Beta Analytic Laboratory in the United States by TNSDA

What does AMS Dating mean?

An accurate radiocarbon dating method that measures the proportion of Carbon-14 isotopes in archaeological specimens.

In contrast to traditional radiometric techniques, AMS measures individual atoms instead of identifying decay.

Goals:

To accurately assess the age of ancient substances.

To allow dating with extremely small sample sizes (as little as 20 mg).

To assist in the non-invasive examination of unique artifacts.

How does AMS function?

Sample Preparation: The material undergoes a chemical pretreatment before being converted to graphite.

Ionization: A beam of cesium strikes the graphite, producing carbon ions with a negative charge.

Acceleration: Ions are propelled using tandem electrostatic accelerators.

Removal & Identification:

Ions move through a stripper to gain a positive charge.

Magnetic fields distinguish isotopes (C-12, C-13, C-14) according to their mass.

C-14 atoms are measured to establish age.

Main Characteristics:

High Precision: Attains reduced background noise and increased accuracy.

Minimal Sample Size: Needs 1,000 times fewer samples than conventional techniques.

Quicker Results: Outcomes in hours compared to days in radiometric methods.

Minimally Damaging: Perfect for valuable or small archaeological specimens.

Elevated Sensitivity: Senses minute amounts of C-14, including in blood or seeds.

Usages:

Archaeology: Dating of timber, charcoal, skeletal remains, ceramic fragments.

Geology & Oceanography: Sediment examination, oceanic carbon maps.

Biomedical Research: Drug tracking, microdosing investigations.

Climate Science: Three-dimensional mapping of carbon isotopes in marine ecosystems.