T73 Applications of Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) Dating in Studies of the Mode, Timing, and Rate of Geomorphological Processes

Sunday, 31 October 2010
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Room 406

THE CONTINUING STORY OF THE ANGUS MAMMOTH CONTROVERSY: IRSL DATING TO THE RESCUE

Paper number: T73-15
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 5:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Authors

Abstract

In 1931 south-central Nebraska was the site of the discovery of a nearly complete mammoth skeleton. What was to make this locale (25NO101) so different from other mammoth excavations was that a fluted object was found under the left scapula of the mammoth. The fluted object was clearly man-made and subsequent microwear and technological analyses have determined that the Angus biface is an authentic artifact. Jesse Figgins, Director of the Colorado Museum of Natural History (now the Denver Museum of Nature & Science [DMNS]), was called to the site because of his prominence in discovering the Folsom site in 1927. No sooner was the mammoth skeleton out of the ground than the controversy began, however. Early researchers, such as W. D. Strong (1932), A. L. Lugn, and C. B. Schultz (1932), challenged the association of the fluted artifact with the Angus mammoth based on site geology and mammoth taxonomy.

The major uncertainty is actually related to the problem of estimating the age of the mammoth bones, since they do not contain the necessary collagen for radiocarbon dating. Moreover, studies of the Angus site stratigraphy, along with IRSL dates ranging from 56,200-75,300 years old, have determined that the matrix above the mammoth is more than 45,000 years too old for the mammoth/fluted point association to be valid. The question remains, however, as to how the artifact became “associated” with the mammoth. This presentation will demonstrate the importance of combining geological, archaeological, historical, and dosimetric analytical techniques as well as highlighting the IRSL dating results. Although the Angus Mammoth Site was originally investigated in the 1930s, it is only recently that TL and IRSL dating techniques been developed and applied so that concerns about the site could be addressed. The results of decades of investigations at the Angus mammoth site finally lay to rest the controversies that had not been resolved since the original excavation of the site.