14C dating of bone using γ-carboxyglutamic acid and α-carboxyglycine (aminomalonate)

Abstract

Radiocarbon determinations have been obtained on γ-carboxyglutamic acid [Gla] and α-carboxyglycine (aminomalonate) [Am] as well as acid- and base-hydrolyzed total amino acids isolated from a series of fossil bones. As far as we are aware, Am has not been reported previously in fossil bone and neither Gla nor Am 14C values have been measured previously. Interest in Gla, an amino acid found in the non-collagen proteins osteocalcin and matrix Gla-protein (MGP), proceeds from the suggestion that it may be preferentially retained and more resistant to diagenetic contamination affecting 14C values in bones exhibiting low and trace amounts of collagen. Our data do not support these suggestions. The suite of bones examined showed a general tendency for total amino acid and Gla concentrations to decrease in concert. Even for bones retaining significant amounts of collagen, Gla (and Am extracts) can yield 14C values discordant with their expected age and with 14C values obtained on total amino-acid fractions isolated from the same bone sample.