Dating Palaeolithic cave art: Why U–Th is the way to go

Pike, Alistair W.G.; Hoffmann, Dirk L.; Pettitt, Paul B.; García-Diez, Marcos; Zilhão, João

http://hdl.handle.net/10451/30742

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Abstract(s)

The chronology of European Upper Palaeolithic cave art is poorly known. Three chronometric techniques are commonly applicable: AMS 14C, TL and UeTh, and in recent years the efficacy of each has been the subject of considerable debate. We review here the use of the UeTh technique to date the formation of calcites that can be shown to have stratigraphic relationships to cave art. We focus particularly on two recent critiques of the method. By using specific examples from our own work using this method in Spain, we demonstrate how these critiques are highly flawed and hence misleading, and we argue that the UeTh dating of calcites is currently the most reliable of available chronometric techniques for dating cave art.

Keywords

UraniumeThorium Chronology Cave art Paleolithic Calcite

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http://hdl.handle.net/10451/30742

Citation

Pike, A. W. G., Hoffmann, D. L., Pettitt, P. B., García-Diez, M., & Zilhão, J. (2017). Dating Palaeolithic cave art: Why U–Th is the way to go. Quaternary International, 432 41-49. doi: 10.1016/j.quaint.2015.12.013