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Export of KEH-1 cryptotephra samples for analysis

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Case Type: 

ProposalDescription: 

We propose to export 124 sediment samples from the site Knysna Eastern Heads (KEH) Cave 1 to the United States for the purpose of cryptotephra analysis. The goal of the analysis is to identify microscopic volcanic shards which will be used to link deposits from KEH Cave 1 to other local archaeological sites as well as provide precise age estimates. This study will increase the precision and reliability of our existing age model and will allow us to extend our age model beyond the current radiometric dates. This project is taking place at Knysna Erf 1399, in the Knysna Magisterial District, Western Cape Province, and under the authority of Heritage Western Cape (permit number 2237).

Expanded_Motivation: 

We are applying for an export permit to undertake cryptotephra dating of samples from KEH-1. Currently, KEH-1 is dated by AMS radiocarbon and OSL dating suggesting that ages range roughly from 18 ka to older than 50 ka. Because radiocarbon dating can only produce reliable age estimates for deposits < 50 ka (Higham et al., 2014), it cannot be used to produce a robust chronology at KEH-1 for all layers. Additionally, OSL dating can have error ranges up to 10% which makes it essential to have alternative dating methods for deposits > 50 ka that can be used to test and verify previously produced OSL ages. We propose to use cryptotephra deposits to test the current age model at KEH-1 and provide an isochron, or temporal link, between KEH-1 and proximal archaeological sites. These data are essential for building a larger temporal framework throughout South Africa. In 2018, we identified cryptotephra deposits from the Youngest Toba Tuff (YTT) in South Africa and published the results in Nature(Smith et al., 2018). Since then, the YTT has been successfully identified at Kathu Pan 6 (KP6), Diepkloof Rock Shelter (DRS), and Klasies River Site (KRS). Other cryptotephra units chemically distinct from YTT have also been identified at KP6 and DRS. These discoveries are not yet published and are still in the preliminary stages, however, they demonstrate the widespread nature of various cryptotephra layers throughout South Africa and the potential to use this technique to date archaeological sites more accurately in the region. Therefore, for this project, we propose to sample KEH-1 for cryptotephra so we can place this archaeological site on a reliable and comparable timeline with surrounding sites. Additionally, we will use cryptotephra to test the current age model that has been established using AMS radiocarbon and OSL dating. Samples necessary for this project are derived from 2017 excavations and only consist of sediment. No archaeological material was included. All samples were piece-plotted and recorded. Samples will be analyzed by the Sediment and TEphra Preparation (STEP) Laboratory at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Cryptotephra Laboratory for Archaeological and Geological Research (CLAGR) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). We are undertaking this project in collaboration with Dr. Eugene Smith, manager of cryptotephra lab at UNLV.

ApplicationDate: 

Tuesday, June 22, 2021 - 00:59

CaseID: 

16670

OtherReferences: 

ReferenceList: 

CitationReferenceTypeDate Retrieved
Higham, T., Douka, K., Wood, R., Ramsey, C.B., Brock, F., Basell, L., Camps, M., Arrizabalaga, A., Baena, J., Barroso-Ruíz, C., Bergman, C., Boitard, C., Boscato, P., Caparrós, M., Conard, N.J., Draily, C., Froment, A., Galván, B., Gambassini, P., Garcia-Moreno, A., Grimaldi, S., Haesaerts, P., Holt, B., Iriarte-Chiapusso, M.J., Jelinek, A., Jordá Pardo, J.F., Maíllo-Fernández, J.M., Marom, A., Maroto, J., Menéndez, M., Metz, L., Morin, E., Moroni, A., Negrino, F., Panagopoulou, E., Peresani, M., Pirson, S., La Rasilla, M. De, Riel-Salvatore, J., Ronchitelli, A., Santamaria, D., Semal, P., Slimak, L., Soler, J., Soler, N., Villaluenga, A., Pinhasi, R., Jacobi, R., 2014. The timing and spatiotemporal patterning of Neanderthal disappearance. Nature 512, 306–309. doi:10.1038/nature13621
Monday, January 3, 2022
Smith, E.I., Jacobs, Z., Johnsen, R., Ren, M., Fisher, E.C., Oestmo, S., Wilkins, J., Harris, J.A., Karkanas, P., Fitch, S., Ciravolo, A., Keenan, D., Cleghorn, N., Lane, C.S., Matthews, T., Marean, C.W., 2018. Humans thrived in South Africa through the Toba eruption about 74,000 years ago. Nature 555, 511–515. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature25967
Monday, June 21, 2021
 
 

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