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Different implications of OSL and radiocarbon ages in archaeological sites in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Lupeng Yu
Lupeng Yu
, 
Ping An
Ping An
 and 
Zhongping Lai
Zhongping Lai
   | Dec 30, 2016
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Published Online: Dec 30, 2016
Page range: 188 - 200
Received: Mar 30, 2016
Accepted: Nov 03, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/geochr-2015-0048
Keywords
© 2016 L-P. Yu
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Geomorphology of the study region and location of the sections. The yellow dots with red centers show the archaeological sites mentioned in this studies, e.g., Yutian site (Han et al., 2014), Erfang site (Hou et al., 2012), Xiao Qaidam site (Huang et al., 1987, Brantingham and Gao, 2006; Sun et al., 2010), Lenghu site in the northern QB (Owen et al., 2006, Brantingham and Gao, 2006), Nuomuhong site (Zeng, 2006), Jiangxigou site (e.g., Madsen et al., 2006; Brantingham and Gao, 2006; Sun et al., 2012), and some sites in this study (HSZ, HBC and XRH). The red dots with white centers display the towns and sections in this region, respectively.
Geomorphology of the study region and location of the sections. The yellow dots with red centers show the archaeological sites mentioned in this studies, e.g., Yutian site (Han et al., 2014), Erfang site (Hou et al., 2012), Xiao Qaidam site (Huang et al., 1987, Brantingham and Gao, 2006; Sun et al., 2010), Lenghu site in the northern QB (Owen et al., 2006, Brantingham and Gao, 2006), Nuomuhong site (Zeng, 2006), Jiangxigou site (e.g., Madsen et al., 2006; Brantingham and Gao, 2006; Sun et al., 2012), and some sites in this study (HSZ, HBC and XRH). The red dots with white centers display the towns and sections in this region, respectively.

HARs found in Hongshanzui (HSZ) sites and Hebeicun (HBC) sites in the eastern QB.
HARs found in Hongshanzui (HSZ) sites and Hebeicun (HBC) sites in the eastern QB.

Sections, samples and ages in this study. The OSL ages in the HBC1 section are cited from Yu et al. (2015), and those in the XRH1 and XRH5 sections are cited from Yu and Lai (2014). Few OSL ages in XRH5 section are a little different from Yu and Lai, (2014) due to the recalibration of average water contents.
Sections, samples and ages in this study. The OSL ages in the HBC1 section are cited from Yu et al. (2015), and those in the XRH1 and XRH5 sections are cited from Yu and Lai (2014). Few OSL ages in XRH5 section are a little different from Yu and Lai, (2014) due to the recalibration of average water contents.

OSL growth curves (A), decay curves (B), and component fitting of a decay curve (C) of sample HSZ 3-2.
OSL growth curves (A), decay curves (B), and component fitting of a decay curve (C) of sample HSZ 3-2.

Influences to the OSL and 14C ages from different positions in a hearth from the heating event.
Influences to the OSL and 14C ages from different positions in a hearth from the heating event.

Field hearth experiment and samples.
Field hearth experiment and samples.

OSL and TL signals of samples beneath the hearth.
OSL and TL signals of samples beneath the hearth.

Environmental radioactivity and OSL dating results.

Sample IDDepth (m)K (%)Th (ppm) U (ppm)Water Content (%)Dose rate (Gy/ka)Aliquot NumberDe (Gy)OSL Age(ka)
HSZ1-10.401.95 ±0.1011.28 ±0.593.11 ±0.253±14.03 ± 0.216a+10b2.6 ±0.10.65 ± 0.04
HSZ1-20.751.72 ±0.109.76 ± 0.553.28 ± 0.245±23.63 ± 0.206a+15b3.1 ±0.10.86 ± 0.05
HSZ1-30.951.74 ±0.109.14 ±0.512.55 ± 0.225±23.39 ±0.196M1b5.4 ±0.21.59 ±0.1
HSZ1-41.201.53 ±0.098.58 ± 0.532.36 ± 0.225±23.07 ±0.186M1b5.1 ±0.31.65 ±0.1
HSZ2-10.401.78 ±0.0910.29 ±0.553.17 ±0.245±23.72 ± 0.2010a0.190 ±0.0100.05 ±0.01
HSZ3-10.451.76 ±0.0910.19 ±0.542.56 ± 0.215±23.51 ±0.1910a0.195 ±0.0120.06 ±0.01
HSZ3-20.751.77 ±0.099.83 ± 0.522.78 ± 0.225±23.55 ±0.196M3b3.3 ±0.10.93 ± 0.06
HSZ3-31.301.86 ±0.1010.26 ±0.543.15 ±0.257±33.62 ± 0.226a+15b10.0 ±0.42.8 ±0.2

Results of AMS 14C dating.

Sample IDLab CodeMaterials14C Ages (14C BP)Calender ages (Cal BP)OSL ages (ka) and references
HSZ1-0.40BA101622sheep dung540 ± 25539 ± 140.650 ± 0.04, this study
HSZ1-0.75BA101623sheep dung1075 ± 25968 ± 170.860 ± 0.05, this study
HSZ1-0.90BA101626charcoal880 ± 20768 ± 271.6 ± 0.1, this study
HSZ1-1.20BA101625charcoal2975 ± 253160 ± 221.7 ±0.1, this study
HSZ3-0.80BA101620bone460 ± 35514 ± 140.93 ± 0.06, this study
HBC7XA14483charcoal2517 ± 242563 ± 26no
HBC1-3.25BA101621bone1245 ± 251230 ± 311.6 ± 0.1, Yu et al. (2015)
HBC1-3.25*BA101624charcoal1490 ± 301373 ± 281.6 ± 0.1, Yu et al. (2015)
HBC7-C2XA10486charcoal1802 ± 281663 ± 22no
XRH1-1.00BA101630Charcoal3030 ± 253227 ± 223.3 ± 0.2, Yu and Lai (2014)
XRH1-1.20BA101631charcoal995 ± 25924 ± 153.4 ± 0.3, Yu and Lai (2014)
XRH1-1.60BA101632charcoal3435 ± 303679 ± 414.0 ± 0.3, Yu and Lai (2014)
XRH1-3.00BA101633charcoal5925 ± 406752 ± 477.4 ± 0.6, Yu and Lai (2014)
XRH1-3.95BA101634charcoal6605 ± 357488 ± 267.9 ± 0.6, Yu and Lai (2014)
XRH5-4.65BA101628ash4575 ± 355305 ± 177.2 ± 0.6, Yu and Lai (2014)
XRH5-5.55BA101627charcoal4090 ± 254557 ± 305.3 ± 0.4, Yu and Lai (2014)
XRH5-6.25BA101629ash5295 ± 406079 ± 398.2 ± 0.8, Yu and Lai (2014)
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