Re-dating mid-holocene betelnut (Areca catechu L.) and other plant use at Dongan, papua New Guinea

Andrew Fairbairn; Pamela Swadling

doi:10.1017/S0033822200035153

Re-dating mid-holocene betelnut (Areca catechu L.) and other plant use at Dongan, papua New Guinea

Andrew Fairbairn^*, Pamela Swadling

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Direct accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of anaerobically preserved plant remains from the Dongan site in New Guinea, combined with assessment of preservation condition, confirms earlier doubts about the antiquity of betelnut (Areca catechu L.) found at the site. A possible sago leaf fragment is also identified as a modern contaminant. The mid-Holocene age of other fruit and nut remains is verified using these methods. The utility of AMS dating in combination with detailed archaeobotanical assessment is demonstrated, thus improving Chronometric hygiene and with it knowledge of past plant use in Oceania.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	377-382
Number of pages	6
Journal	Radiocarbon
Volume	47
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033822200035153
Publication status	Published - 2005

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title = "Re-dating mid-holocene betelnut (Areca catechu L.) and other plant use at Dongan, papua New Guinea",

abstract = "Direct accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of anaerobically preserved plant remains from the Dongan site in New Guinea, combined with assessment of preservation condition, confirms earlier doubts about the antiquity of betelnut (Areca catechu L.) found at the site. A possible sago leaf fragment is also identified as a modern contaminant. The mid-Holocene age of other fruit and nut remains is verified using these methods. The utility of AMS dating in combination with detailed archaeobotanical assessment is demonstrated, thus improving Chronometric hygiene and with it knowledge of past plant use in Oceania.",

author = "Andrew Fairbairn and Pamela Swadling",

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AU - Swadling, Pamela

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N2 - Direct accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of anaerobically preserved plant remains from the Dongan site in New Guinea, combined with assessment of preservation condition, confirms earlier doubts about the antiquity of betelnut (Areca catechu L.) found at the site. A possible sago leaf fragment is also identified as a modern contaminant. The mid-Holocene age of other fruit and nut remains is verified using these methods. The utility of AMS dating in combination with detailed archaeobotanical assessment is demonstrated, thus improving Chronometric hygiene and with it knowledge of past plant use in Oceania.

AB - Direct accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of anaerobically preserved plant remains from the Dongan site in New Guinea, combined with assessment of preservation condition, confirms earlier doubts about the antiquity of betelnut (Areca catechu L.) found at the site. A possible sago leaf fragment is also identified as a modern contaminant. The mid-Holocene age of other fruit and nut remains is verified using these methods. The utility of AMS dating in combination with detailed archaeobotanical assessment is demonstrated, thus improving Chronometric hygiene and with it knowledge of past plant use in Oceania.

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U2 - 10.1017/S0033822200035153

DO - 10.1017/S0033822200035153

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JO - Radiocarbon

JF - Radiocarbon

IS - 3

ER -

Re-dating mid-holocene betelnut (Areca catechu L.) and other plant use at Dongan, papua New Guinea

Abstract

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