The radiocarbon dating of bone

Diagenetic changes in bone are liable to cause erroneous radiocarbon dates on bone because of the mixing of sample and environment C atoms they can bring about. Likewise, radiocarbon dating can provide information on the extent of such mixing. The processes involved which may mix chemically, physically, or biologically the C atoms of the sample are outlined, and the methods used in practice to reverse this mixing are described. The most suitable methods depend on the state of preservation of the bone, the type of environment, and the radiocarbon content; bones are classified according to different categories, and the appropriate methods indicated for each category. It is clear that the more difficult cases are at present not reliably dated, and must await a better understanding of the chemistry of diagenesis. (author)