AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF A WOOD SAMPLE FROM TUNNEL RAVNE 2

1st ICBP 2008

RESULTS OF RADIOCARBON DATING OF THE PREHISTORIC WOODEN FRAGMENT

FROM THE TUNNEL RAVNE, BOSNIAN VALLEY OF THE PYRAMIDS, VISOKO, BOSNIA

AND HERZEGOVINA

Prof. Anna Pazdur

Head of Gliwice Radiocarbon Laboratory

Department of Radioisotopes, Institute of

Silesian University of Technology

Ul. Krzywoustego 2, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland.

Photo A: Prof. Anna Pazdur and archaeologist Andrew Lawler

1st

ICBP 2008 – ABSTRACT

Radiocarbon dating of the prehistoric wood fragment was carried out in Gliwice

using gas proportional counting method (

treatment AAA (acid-alkali-acid, 2% NaOH at 60°C and again 2

SOL) was dated.

This material was carbonized by heating to 800°C without access of oxygen, and subsequently combusted

in oxygen flow in temperature ca. 1200°C, with use of the vacuum line for combustion.

subjected to purification during which the nitrogen and sulfur oxides, as well as water vapor is removed,

and then stored in glass vessel for ca. 1 month, which is necessary to get rid of radioactive

days). Obtained CO2 amount correspon

measurement of 14

C activity the L3 detector with volume 1.5 dcm

Conventional radiocarbon date was corrected for δ

using assumed value equal to -25 ‰. Dating result was reported at the ICBP Paper. The standard dating

range L3 detector is ca 36 000 BP and measurement time of

conventional 14

C age of dated sample (

uncertainty (1500 years) was obtained.

Conventional 14

C date could not be calibrated using the IntCal04 calibration curve (

because its range is 26 000 Cal BP. The recent stud

even ca 42 000 Cal BP for sample with 14C age 34 000 BP.



Head of Gliwice Radiocarbon Laboratory

Department of Radioisotopes, Institute of Physics

100 Gliwice, Poland.

Andrew Lawler

of the prehistoric wood fragment was carried out in Gliwice Radiocarbon Laboratory

using gas proportional counting method (Lab. No. Gd-; Pazdur et al. 2000) with standard sample pre

acid, 2% NaOH at 60°C and again 2 % HCI). The alkali soluble fraction (NaOH

as carbonized by heating to 800°C without access of oxygen, and subsequently combusted

in oxygen flow in temperature ca. 1200°C, with use of the vacuum line for combustion.


and then stored in glass vessel for ca. 1 month, which is necessary to get rid of radioactive

amount corresponds to carbon content of ca. 1 g in the dated fraction. For

C activity the L3 detector with volume 1.5 dcm3

(with CO2 pressure ca. 1 atm) was used.

Conventional radiocarbon date was corrected for δ13

according to Stuiver and Polach

25 ‰. Dating result was reported at the ICBP Paper. The standard dating

range L3 detector is ca 36 000 BP and measurement time of 14

C radioactivity equal to 3 days. The

age of dated sample (34 800 BP) is near L3 dating range and because of this relatively high

uncertainty (1500 years) was obtained.

date could not be calibrated using the IntCal04 calibration curve (

because its range is 26 000 Cal BP. The recent studies on calibration curve indicate on the calendar age

Cal BP for sample with 14C age 34 000 BP.

Pagina 1



Radiocarbon Laboratory

et al. 2000) with standard sample pre-

% HCI). The alkali soluble fraction (NaOH-

as carbonized by heating to 800°C without access of oxygen, and subsequently combusted

in oxygen flow in temperature ca. 1200°C, with use of the vacuum line for combustion. Obtained CO2 was


and then stored in glass vessel for ca. 1 month, which is necessary to get rid of radioactive 222

Rn (Tn½ =3,8

ds to carbon content of ca. 1 g in the dated fraction. For

pressure ca. 1 atm) was used.

Polach procedure (1977)

25 ‰. Dating result was reported at the ICBP Paper. The standard dating

C radioactivity equal to 3 days. The

is near L3 dating range and because of this relatively high

date could not be calibrated using the IntCal04 calibration curve (Reimer et al., 2004)

ies on calibration curve indicate on the calendar age

1st ICBP 2008

AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF A WOOD SAMPLE FROM TUNNEL RAVNE:

METHODS, RESULTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Andrew Lawler BA (Hons) Cantab

Archaeologist

United Kingdom

Photo B: The photo shows the archaeologist, Mr. Andrew Lawler from UK,

taking the wooden sample from the underground tunnel to be carbon

1st

ICBP 2008 - ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the discovery of a piece of wood discovered embedded in the sediments of the tunnel

Ravne complex, Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The wood was sampled, and sent for Radiocarbon analysis

to two independent establishments. Below the pro

methodologies and principles applied in the AMS

implications for further work and directions of research regarding the tunnel system.

Photo C: Area after the fragment of wood has been removed


IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

The photo shows the archaeologist, Mr. Andrew Lawler from UK,

taking the wooden sample from the underground tunnel to be carbon-dated.


Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The wood was sampled, and sent for Radiocarbon analysis

to two independent establishments. Below the procedures involved in sampling, and a brief outline of the

methodologies and principles applied in the AMS 14

C dating are detailed, as well as an appraisal of


has been removed

Pagina 2


IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH


Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The wood was sampled, and sent for Radiocarbon analysis

cedures involved in sampling, and a brief outline of the

C dating are detailed, as well as an appraisal of


1st ICBP 2008

Photo

During the enlarging of the prehistoric unknown tunnel Ravne, Visoko, was discovered the fragment of

black wood (Photo D) in the conglomerate layer. The Foundation Archaeological Park: “Bosnian Pyramid of

the Sun” has taken the sample for Radiocarbon Dating in the foreign labs. This place is

tunnel entry and 19 m from the surface. During all length the tunnel

marine/lake (?) conglomerate without props in unknown time.

Prior information from personal conversations

- The wood was totally encased within the conglomerate material.

- The conglomerate material (removed in 2006) that

its original, compacted state.

- Many o the carvings evident on this stone were concealed by the consolidated conglomerate.

Implications:

Sources,

- Earth Sciences Institute of Sarajevo. 2002. Geological map of B

000. <With Cicić, S. 200 (Transl.

Accompanying text.>

- Geology and Hydrogeology Institute, Civil Engineering Faculty, Sarajevo.

1:100 000 of the Visoko Region.

- Barakat, A.A., 2006. Geological and Geoarchaeological Observations on the Bosnian Pyramids at

Visoko, Northwest Sarajevo.

Photo D:Place where the wooden fragment was found


) in the conglomerate layer. The Foundation Archaeological Park: “Bosnian Pyramid of

the Sun” has taken the sample for Radiocarbon Dating in the foreign labs. This place is

from the surface. During all length the tunnel has been constructed through the

marine/lake (?) conglomerate without props in unknown time.

Prior information from personal conversations:

The wood was totally encased within the conglomerate material.

The conglomerate material (removed in 2006) that overlay much of the nearby K1 megalith was in

its original, compacted state.

Many o the carvings evident on this stone were concealed by the consolidated conglomerate.

Earth Sciences Institute of Sarajevo. 2002. Geological map of Bosnian and Herzegovina at 1:300

, S. 200 (Transl. Šahinović, D. 2008.)

Geology and Hydrogeology Institute, Civil Engineering Faculty, Sarajevo. 1964. Geological map at

1:100 000 of the Visoko Region.

2006. Geological and Geoarchaeological Observations on the Bosnian Pyramids at

Visoko, Northwest Sarajevo.

Pagina 3


) in the conglomerate layer. The Foundation Archaeological Park: “Bosnian Pyramid of

the Sun” has taken the sample for Radiocarbon Dating in the foreign labs. This place is 145 m from the

has been constructed through the

overlay much of the nearby K1 megalith was in

Many o the carvings evident on this stone were concealed by the consolidated conglomerate.

osnian and Herzegovina at 1:300

1964. Geological map at

2006. Geological and Geoarchaeological Observations on the Bosnian Pyramids at

1st ICBP 2008

1.) The wood was a terminus post quem

- Barakat (2006) identifies tunnel material as forming during the Pleistocene or Holocene

- This is in time period suggested by age of wood.

- Grading (Photo E ) of material sugge

- Sandstone incredibly susceptible to erosion

environments.

Photo

Sequence of Terminus Post Quem scenario events.

- Sediments deposited (including wood) at date suggested by Dr.

- Tunnels made,

- Carvings made on erratics encountered in

- Tunnels abandoned for unknown reason,

- Minor collapses in tunnel cover carvings,

- Calcitic leaching reconsolidates collapsed material

- Tunnels re-entered in 2005-

terminus post quem for tunnel and/or carvings

Barakat (2006) identifies tunnel material as forming during the Pleistocene or Holocene

This is in time period suggested by age of wood.

of material suggests conglomerate deposited in aquatic or glacial environment.

Sandstone incredibly susceptible to erosion- carvings would not survive such depositional

Photo E: Place where the wooden fragment was found

scenario events.

Sediments deposited (including wood) at date suggested by Dr. Aly Barakat and C

Carvings made on erratics encountered in sediments,

Tunnels abandoned for unknown reason,

Minor collapses in tunnel cover carvings,

Calcitic leaching reconsolidates collapsed material,

-06.

Pagina 4

for tunnel and/or carvings

Barakat (2006) identifies tunnel material as forming during the Pleistocene or Holocene epoch.

quatic or glacial environment.

carvings would not survive such depositional

Barakat and C-14 results,

1st ICBP 2008 Pagina 5

2.) The wood as a later deposit

- Large scale geological maps (1967 & 2002) of area do not mention geologically recent deposits.

- However, 2002 map acknowledges minor uncomformities.

- Maps imply tunnels set into Upper Miocene deposits.

- Possible that tunnels/cave system existed within Upper Miocene deposits.

- Infilled at later date with Pleistocene/Holocene deposits.

- This scenario a result of localized quaternary events i.e. localized flooding from river or glacial melt

water.

- Idea supported by both grading seen previously and variation in concretion and cohesivity of

sediments throughout tunnel system.

- Implies that tunnels were larger than today, and present day walls are not original in regards to

width and height.

Sequence of ‘Wood as a later deposit’ scenario events

- Primary sediments deposited during Upper Miocene,

- Cavity created by unknown means and to unknown dimensions ,

- Sediments deposited (including wood) over period of time by glacial/riverine flooding,

- Tunnels are considerably narrowed as a result of this,

- Tunnels abandoned possibly due to encroachment,

- Tunnels re-entered in 2005-06.

Note: This hypothesis provides contradicting arguments as to origins of large stones and carvings

1st ICBP 2008

3.) The wood as Human influence

- Wood embedded in wall by humans for reasons unknown.

- Later covered and preserved by

- Apparent grain of wood when discovered is not conducive to its use as a structural support.

- However, what appeared to be wood’s grain may be fracturation pattern within waterlogged wood

due to high pressures and stresses upon it over time while encased within the re

material, and also cell degradation.

Sequence of ‘Wood as Human influence’ scenario events

- Sediments deposited at age suggested by Dr. Aly Barakat,

- Tunnels made soon after material is deposited and consolidates,

- Wood emplaced, possibly as support or fixing,

- Carvings made on large stones encountered in sediments,

- Tunnels abandoned for unknown reason,

- Minor collapses in tunnel over carvings,

- Calcitic leaching reconsolidates

- Tunnels re-entered in 2005-

Source: 1st ICBP 2008

The wood as Human influence

Wood embedded in wall by humans for reasons unknown.

Later covered and preserved by sediments deposited by floodwaters later in Quaternary Period.

Apparent grain of wood when discovered is not conducive to its use as a structural support.

However, what appeared to be wood’s grain may be fracturation pattern within waterlogged wood

high pressures and stresses upon it over time while encased within the re

material, and also cell degradation.

of ‘Wood as Human influence’ scenario events

Sediments deposited at age suggested by Dr. Aly Barakat,

material is deposited and consolidates,

Wood emplaced, possibly as support or fixing,

Carvings made on large stones encountered in sediments,

Tunnels abandoned for unknown reason,

Minor collapses in tunnel over carvings,

Calcitic leaching reconsolidates collapsed material,

-06.

Photo: Ravne tunnel system, detail

© 2008 Bosnian

Pagina 6

sediments deposited by floodwaters later in Quaternary Period.

Apparent grain of wood when discovered is not conducive to its use as a structural support.

However, what appeared to be wood’s grain may be fracturation pattern within waterlogged wood

high pressures and stresses upon it over time while encased within the re-deposited

© 2008 Bosnian-Pyramid.com

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AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF A WOOD SAMPLE FROM TUNNEL RAVNE 2