Two Independent Methods for Dating Rock Art: Age Determination of Paint and Oxalate Layers at Eagle Cave, TX

Summary

Using two independent methods, we provide reliable age estimates for three Pecos River Style figures at Eagle Cave in Langtry, TX. To obtain direct dates for the paintings, we employed plasma oxidation of the organic binders in the paint layer followed by accelerator mass spectrometry. For minimum and maximum ages, we acid treated the overlying and underneath accretion layers to isolate calcium oxalate for combustion and 14C measurement. The radiocarbon dates for the three paint samples are statistically indistinguishable, with a weighted average of 3280±70 years BP calibrated to 1740-1420 cal BC at 2 sigma (95.4% probability). Overlying accretion layers are younger and underlying accretion layers are older. This correctly ordered, chronological stratigraphy of the accretion and paint layers supports the validity of both dating methods. As new high-resolution excavations are underway at Eagle Cave, the rock paintings can now be studied alongside excavated cultural deposits to provide a more complete understanding of this hunter-gather society.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Rock Art: Methodology and Interpretation in the Archaeology of the Site

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