Why Bone Collagen Is The Right Material To Date

A recurring theme in the Arlington Springs story is the distinction between different organic fractions of bone, and why some are more reliable for radiocarbon dating than others.

This is not mere technical detail — it is the heart of why the revised dating was an improvement over earlier attempts.

When bone is deposited in soil or sediment, it begins immediately to interact chemically with its environment.

The mineral component of bone — calcium hydroxyapatite — exchanges calcium and carbonate ions with groundwater.