A New Approach to the U-series Dating of Fossil Molluscs - A Major Advance for the Earth and Archaeological Sciences

  • Eggins, Stephen (PI)
  • Murray-Wallace, Colin V (CoI)
  • Wehmiller, John Frederick (CoI)

    Project: Research

    Project Details

    Description

    Until now, post-mortem uptake of uranium by mollusc shells has precluded accurate U-series dating of fossil shells using established methodologies. Using an innovative laser ablation-mass spectrometry technique combined with a predictive diffusion-adsorption model for U-uptake in shells, we will develop a new open-system U-series approach to dating fossil shells. This will provide the earth and archaelogical sciences with a reliable and accurate method for dating a wide range of shell-bearing deposits up to 400,000 years old, and new opportunities to investigate impacts of and links between climate and sea-level change, active tectonic processes, and the timing of human occupation and migration.
    StatusFinished
    Effective start/end date1/01/0531/12/08

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