Abstract
Absolute dating of prehistoric rock paintings is an exciting archaeological pursuit. Sophisticated sample collection, handling and pretreatment methods and new analytical equipment and techniques are minimizing contamination and permitting identification of trace amounts of organic substances in prehistoric paints. Radiocarbon dating using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is producing dates for minute residues of blood, charcoal and plant fibres, either accidentally or deliberately incorporated in paintings. Carbon-bearing laminations, such as oxalate-crusts and silica skins, which have accumulated under and over rock art, have also been recently dated.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 58-65 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Antiquity |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue number | 254 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 1993 |
| Externally published | Yes |