Moessbauer analysis of Lewisville, Texas, archaeological site lignite and hearth samples. Environmental geology notes
The Lewisville site, located in Denton County on the Trinity River north of Dallas, Texas, was thought to provide evidence of the earliest human activity in the western hemisphere. Radiocarbon dates of 37,000 to 38,000 B.P. determined for the site in the late 1950s conflicted with the presence of a Clovis point, which would fix the age of the site between 11,000 and 11,500 B.P. It was hypothesized (Johnson, 1982) that Clovis people were burning lignite from nearby outcrops: lignite in hearth residues would give older than actual ages by radiocarbon dating. X-ray diffraction and instrumental neutron-activation analysis proved inconclusive; however, Moessbauer spectroscopy indicated that hematite, a pyrite combustion product, was present in the ash. From this evidence the authors conclude that there is some support for the hypothesis.
- Research Organization:
- Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5089783
- Report Number(s):
- PB-85-210003/XAB; IL/SGS/EGN-109
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Prepared in cooperation with Southern Illinois Univ. at Carbondale
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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