Article Title

A Black Deer at Black Cave: New Pictograph Radiocarbon Date for the Lower Pecos, Texas

Authors

Lennon N. Bates, Department of Chemistry, University of Central ArkansasFollow
Amanda M. Castañeda, Ancient Southwest Texas Project, Texas State UniversityFollow
Carolyn E. Boyd, Department of Anthropology, Texas State UniversityFollow
Karen L. Steelman, Department of Chemistry, University of Central ArkansasFollow

Agency

Journal of Texas Archeology and History

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21112/ita.2015.1.69

Abstract

A Pecos River style painting of a black deer from Black Cave Annex (41VV76a) in southwest Texas was radiocarbon dated. Using plasma oxidation and accelerator mass spectrometry, we obtained an age of 1465 ± 40 RCYBP (2 sigma calibrated age range of A.D. 470-660). This age is younger than the accepted age range for Pecos River style paintings, which is approximately 4000-3000 years B.P. This new measurement in association with other younger dates prompts us to question whether the Pecos River style endured for a longer time period than previously thought. More radiocarbon research is needed in order to understand how this anomalous result might fit within the Lower Pecos Canyonlands rock art chronology.

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