IDENTIFICATION OF CHARCOAL FROM THE NORTH CREEK SHELTER, SITE 42GA5863, IN THE ESCALANTE VALLEY, UTAH

Summary

Three charcoal samples were examined from the North Creek Shelter, site 42GA5863,

in the Escalante Valley of south-central Utah. These samples were submitted for identification

prior to radiocarbon analysis to select the best material to send for dating. The identification of

specific material to be dated is particularly advantageous and allows the researcher to know

precisely what material is submitted for radiocarbon dating. More accurate ages can be

obtained by submitting only specific types of charcoal or other charred plant material for dating.

It is preferential to date a local species rather than a foreign one, to date a single species rather

than a mixture of several types, and to date the plant type with the shortest life span, such as

dating charcoal from a shorter-lived shrub rather than a longer-lived tree. Charcoal samples

selected for radiocarbon dating were submitted to Beta Analytic, Inc.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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