Roca dels Bous (archaeological site) interesting archaeological site indeed. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the samples used for the 14C AMS dating were obtained from deep strata at the site. The oldest Neanderthal sites known in the nearby areas date back to around 40,000 BP. The first settlements attributed to “anatomically modern” Homo sapiens sapiens in Northern Spain are dated around 39,000-38,000 BP. All this would suggest that Neanderthals could have persisted in this particular area longer than previously believed, preceding the arrival of the first Homo sapiens to the area. Research work began in 1988. This wide period of time has contributed
Isotope geochemistry successfully used in forensic science to fingerprint bullets, because each batch of ammunition has its own peculiar Pb/Pb vs Pb/Pb ratio. Samarium–neodymium is an isotope system which can be utilised to provide a date as well as isotopic fingerprints of geological materials, and various other materials including archaeological finds (pots, ceramics). Sm decays to produce Nd with a half life of 1.06x10 years. Dating is achieved usually by trying to produce an isochron of several minerals within a rock specimen. The initial Nd/Nd ratio is determined. This initial ratio is modelled relative to CHUR - the Chondritic Uniform Reservoir -