Re: U of South Carolina Releases Topper Radiocarbon Dates

From: Ross Macfarlane (rmacfarl_at_alphalink.com.au)
Date: 11/22/04 

Date: 21 Nov 2004 20:09:11 -0800

Doug Weller <dweller@ramtops.removethisdemon.co.uk> wrote in message news:<ojvtp09fqonqeerqraet7sa0ce0ju5u8c7@4ax.com>...
...
>
> The dating is secure at at least 50000 years. I don't think there can be
> any argument about that. The only arguments are whether the firepit is
> manmande and whether the supposed microtools are geolithics or manmade.
>
> Doug

That's a big statement. As far as I can tell, there's no such thing as
a secure 50KY radiocarbon date. Anything over 40 KY & the residual
14-C is so minute that the slightest hint of contamination can throw
it out. Most expert opinion I've seen leans toward excessive caution
on such dates, even though the separation & detection techniques are
undoubtedly much better than they were 20+ years ago...

Ross Macfarlane

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