[Paper] Chronological analysis of prehistoric freshwater shell mounds in the Yongjiang River Basin, Guangxi, China

via Archaeological Research in Asia, 13 February 2024: Paper by Zhang et al. in the Yongjiang River Basin, Guangxi, China, has unveiled inaccuracies in previous dating methods, suggesting a much narrower timeframe for their development during the Early Holocene. This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate materials for radiocarbon dating, such as nutshell over freshwater molluscs, to avoid the freshwater reservoir effect and provide more reliable age estimations for these archaeological sites.

Previous chronometric age estimations of freshwater shell mounds in Guangxi, China have been controversial, ranging from c. 10,000 to c. 5000 cal BP. The accuracy of the radiocarbon dating performed on freshwater shell and bone samples have been questioned due to the possible presence of a freshwater reservoir effect and potential bone sample contamination. This study presents new results of 18 new AMS dates obtained on macrobotanical and freshwater shell remains from three representative shell mound sites in Guangxi. The project demonstrates that problems do indeed exist with previous dating methods and materials. The preliminary research outcomes presented here indicate Guangxi shell mounds likely accumulated within a much narrower chronological range during the Early Holocene than previously recognised.

Source: Chronological analysis of prehistoric freshwater shell mounds in the Yongjiang River Basin, Guangxi, China – ScienceDirect