Recent News

Bones and teeth are relatively common within the archaeological and paleontological record due to the tendency for high preservation after burial.

Bones and teeth can be used for a variety of different isotopic analyses, including Oxygen, Strontium, Lead, Neodymium, Carbon, Nitrogen and dating (radiocarbon and in some cases Uranium-Thorium). There are important requirements for bone samples to ensure they produce accurate results.

Caves are natural intact cavities found in many different landscapes which have been accessible to humans and animals for millions of years.

Caves – or rock shelters – have been studied by archaeologists for the past two centuries, with specific focus on the investigation of prehistoric cave paintings, ceremonial use and other evidence of occupation.

Isobar Science offers Biogenic Apatite (CaPO4) analysis on bones and teeth samples.

View our on-demand webinar on Isotope Applications: Bone Samples in Archaeology. Topics include when to use radiocarbon dating versus uranium-thorium dating.

The details of animal origin and migratory routes through terrestrial and aquatic systems can be traced through the analysis of various stable isotopes including strontium, neodymium, carbon and oxygen.

Bones: Isotopes in Dating, Diets and Migration Studies
Live Webinar: April 14, 2022 – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern Time

Isobar’s webinar on migration studies and geographic origin will focus on lead isotopes for tracking origin and trade of metal artifacts in addition to using strontium isotopes to track diet.

Volcanic eruptions are significant geological events with far reaching implications. The analysis of isotopes in various sample types can provide information on the timing and magnitude of past volcanic eruptions.

Boron isotopes are predominately made up of two naturally occurring stable isotopes – 10B and 11B. In the biosphere, boron represents a trace element integrated into organisms, allowing one to reconstruct variability in δ11B over time.

Before a time series of climate variability can be developed, the coral growth bands must first be dated. Corals can be dated using radiocarbon dating, U-Th dating and/or Sr-Sr dating.

Isobar Science and Beta Analytic’s bones webinar focuses on C-14 and U-Th methods for bone samples. Topics include optimal sample types, common issues, and how to prepare bone samples for isotopic analysis.

Isobar Science and Beta Analytic’s paleclimatology webinar focuses on the importance of C-14 and U-Th dating in paleoclimatology, and how archives can be used to reconstruct past climate.

The most optimal samples for accurate U-Th dating are those that exist in closed systems, including speleothems and corals. In some cases, bones and lake sediments may also be used, but the state of your samples should be carefully considered prior to planning your analysis and interpreting U-Th dating results.

View our on-demand webinar “Geochemical Fingerprinting: Application of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb Isotope Systematics in Earth Science.” Topics include: how different processes control the distribution of elements in the earth system; measuring Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb and reporting conventions; application of Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb systematics in studying the governing processes in the earth system; research design and sampling strategies; and what to expect from your lab when measuring Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopes.

The study of past climates (paleoclimatology) offers an opportunity to improve the predictability of future climate change. The stable isotopes of boron (δ11B) and oxygen (δ18O) are two important variables used to reconstruct climate in a variety of natural archives.

Understanding the movement of herbivores across a landscape and ecological dynamics through time is important for current conservation and ecosystem management, while providing valuable insights into evolution and adaptation. Documented historical evidence in the relationship between organisms and their surrounding vegetation is generally limited and thus isotopic analysis of fossils can provide valuable insights into this important area of research.

The analysis of the uranium-thorium (U-Th) decay chain can be used to date a variety of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) bearing samples, including cave deposits (e.g. speleothems), calcium carbonate rock, corals, shells and (in some cases) bones. This method can be used to date samples existing from present day until 500,000 calendar years before present.