A semi-automated bone pretreatment system and the pretreatment of older and contaminated samples

Abstract

A semi-automated continuous-flow system used to process archaeological bone to purified gelatin or amino acids for 14C dating is described. When compared with previous methods used by the laboratory, the new method allows more samples to be treated to a higher degree of purification. Examples of dates obtained on "standard' bones are presented, and confirm that no contamination is introduced from the components used in the new process. -from Authors