14C dating of ancient rock art: A new application of plasma chemistry

We have developed a new statically operated oxygen plasma method that allows direct¹⁴C dates to be obtained from ancient rock paintings. The method is applicable even to paintings on limestone (CaCO₃) walls. A sample of a pictograph which had naturally spalled offa shelter wall in the Lower Pecos region of Texas was subjected to a low temperature ( 150°C) oxygen plasma to selectively remove the organic carbon-containing material used in the paint as CO₂, without contamination from the limestone substrate. The Zürich EHT accelerator mass spectrometer was then used to determine the radiocarbon age of this prehistoric rock painting. It was successfully dated at 3865 ± 100 years BP, in good accord with the archaeological context which has set the onset of this Pecos River style of pictograph between 4100 and 3200 years BP. The method appears feasible and is applicable to rock art in which organic materials were used in the paint.