The role of 14C dating in ironpan formation

The results of novel experiments undertaken to attempt to date ironpans using AMS radiocarbon dating are reported. In the absence of clear stratigraphic control, for example where buried soils are present, it is difficult to put into sequence the events which have led to the formation of present-day...

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Published inHolocene (Sevenoaks) Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 281 - 285
Main Authors Lascelles, Bruce, Bol, Roland, Jenkins, David
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2000
Turpin
Subjects
buried soils
carbon
clay minerals
Environmental studies
Geology and climatology
Methodology and general studies
microstructure
mineral soils
organic matter
palynology
Prehistory and protohistory
radiocarbon dating
soil profiles
Wales
Iron
Great Britain
Europe
Wales
ironpan stagnopodzols
soil dating
soil morphology
soil development
radiocarbon dating
Ironpans
Pedogenesis
Absorption spectrometry
Composition
Geomorphology
Pedology
Radiocarbon
Geology
Morphology
Dating
Stagnopodzol
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Summary:The results of novel experiments undertaken to attempt to date ironpans using AMS radiocarbon dating are reported. In the absence of clear stratigraphic control, for example where buried soils are present, it is difficult to put into sequence the events which have led to the formation of present-day soil profiles. Micromorphology can give some indications of sequence, particularly when evidence of one process has been superimposed onto another. However, this still does not give absolute dates that can be tied in accurately with archaeological and other environmental (particularly palynological) information. Problems exist in the interpretation of radiocarbon dates of organic matter from mineral soils. However, some of the organic C fraction of a soil can become protected, particularly by clay minerals and pedological features such as ironpans,and dating of this should, in theory, provide a date for the formation of that feature. This technique was applied to ironpans of the ironpan stagnopodzols from the Hiraethog Moors in North Wales. This is a novel use of 14C dating which has begun the process of clarifying the techniques which need to be employed in the preparation of such samples and in the interpretation of the results.
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ISSN:0959-6836
1477-0911
DOI:10.1191/095968300666453839