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Cross dating (Th/U-14C) of calcite covering prehistoric paintings in Borneo

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Valérie Plagnes ,
Christiane Causse ,
Michel Fontugne ,
Hélène Valladas ,
Jean-Michel Chazine  and
Luc-Henri Fage
Valérie Plagnes
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, UMR CEA/CNRS 1572, avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif/Yvette Cedex, France
Christiane Causse
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, UMR CEA/CNRS 1572, avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif/Yvette Cedex, France
Michel Fontugne
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, UMR CEA/CNRS 1572, avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif/Yvette Cedex, France
Hélène Valladas
Affiliation:
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, UMR CEA/CNRS 1572, avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif/Yvette Cedex, France
Jean-Michel Chazine
Affiliation:
CNRS/CREDO-Maison Asie-Pacifique, Université de Provence, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331 Marseille Cedex3, France
Luc-Henri Fage
Affiliation:
La Chapelle, 84220 Goult, France
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Abstract

We present the first application of cross-dating (Th/U measured by thermo-ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and 14C measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)) of calcite covering prehistoric paintings. Th/U age estimates of cave drapery range from 9800 to 27,300 yr B.P. while conventional 14C age is estimated between 9900 and 7610 yr B.P. depending on the dead carbon correction. The age discrepancy is attributed to a disturbance of Th/U and/or 14C geochemical systems, showing the limits of the geochronological approach applied to this kind of material. For the Th/U system, the poor consistency of U data (U content, 234U/238U activity ratios) and apparent ages argue for open system conditions. For 14C system, variation of the dead carbon fraction (dcf) and a possible mixing of successive generations of calcite could account for age discrepancy. Nevertheless, one sample shows concordant ages for the two methods. Compatible ages through corrections for open system conditions are assumed for other samples. Then, the cross-dating suggests 9900 yr as the minimum age of the piece of drapery; the underlying painting must be older. This study of rock art demonstrates the presence of a Pleistocene population before 9900 yr in the southeast of Borneo, whereas previously the only population in evidence in this area was of Austronesian type from ∼5000 to 6000 yrs ago.

Keywords

Th/U dating14C datingOpen systemPrehistoric paintingsCave rock artBorneoKalimantan
Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 60 , Issue 2 , September 2003 , pp. 172 - 179
Copyright
University of Washington

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