Radiocarbon Dating of Bone Apatite Using Thermal Release of CO2

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Abstract
Extraction of carbon from bone hydroxy apatite as CO2 by heating in an oxygen atmosphere is an alternative method to hydrolysis of the bone. Heating in specific steps allows separation of CO2 fractions from different sources, including weakened or sound bone material and secondary deposits. Pretreatments to remove most secondary carbonate and much of the collagen are necessary. Thermogravimetric (weight loss) curves and CO2 release patterns during heating show that the temperature interval for collection of the most reliable CO2 sample for dating purposes lies between 800 and 950°C. Age dates run on such samples support this conclusion.