Expanding Collaborative Opportunities for High Resolution AMS 14C Research in Archaeology

在美国国家科学基金会(NSF)的支持下，宾夕法尼亚州立大学(PSU)的Douglas Kennett博士和他的同事们将扩大放射性碳测年能力，以支持考古应用和学生培训，这些应用和学生培训与正在开发的高分辨率加速器质谱仪(AMS)校园放射性碳设施(PSU-AMS)相衔接。对过去人类行为和环境相互作用的考古研究为科学家提供了关键信息，说明如何通过了解人类过去的影响和适应来维持对未来人类有利的条件。下一代放射性碳技术正在彻底改变研究能力，将镜头聚焦到过去，以澄清和加强这种理解。NSF的资金将用于改善现有的考古材料(如骨头、贝壳、木炭)的样品制备基础设施和技术，并开发新的方法来扩大能力并将考古研究与环境科学更有效地结合起来。AMS的放射性碳设施在美国是有限的，考古学和环境科学的研究能力正因国外设施的激增而黯然失色，特别是在获得高精度设施方面。PSU-AMS设施对人地互动的重视将对考古研究产生变革性的影响。AMS的这项放射性碳倡议将促进跨学科考古研究的发展，并加强与地球和环境科学的联系。对于考古学家来说，这种方法对于促进关于未来环境变化对人类的长期影响的辩论是至关重要的。培训下一代跨学科的考古学研究人员掌握AMS放射性碳技术和解释也是解决环境变化长期影响的一个关键方面。NSF的资金将用于开发访问学者项目和暑期短期课程，作为进入未来的年度项目的原型。将扩大合作研究努力，并将利用现有的PSU项目来吸引来自附近城市地区代表性不足群体的个人。这些计划将提供一个独特的教育机会，这在美国的AMS设施数量很少的情况下是罕见的。拟议的项目将促进PSU教师和学生之间的互动，这将从暑期短期课程的访问学者和参与者中受益匪浅。

With National Science Foundation (NSF) support, Dr. Douglas Kennett and his colleagues at The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) will expand radiocarbon dating capabilities to support archaeological applications and student training that articulate with a developing high-resolution Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon facility on campus (PSU-AMS). Archaeological studies of past human behaviors and environment interactions are providing scientists with critical information on how to sustain favorable conditions for future humanity by understanding peoples' past impacts and adaptations. Next-generation radiocarbon technologies are revolutionizing research capabilities to sharply focus the lens into the past to clarify and enhance this understanding. Funds from NSF will be used to improve existing sample preparation infrastructure and techniques for archaeological materials (e.g., bone, shell, charcoal) and develop new methods to expand capabilities and integrate archaeological research more effectively with the environmental sciences.AMS radiocarbon facilities are limited in the US and research capabilities in archaeology and environmental sciences are being eclipsed by the proliferation of facilities abroad, particularly regarding access to high precision facilities. The emphasis of the PSU-AMS facility on human-earth interaction will have a transformative impact on archaeological research. This AMS radiocarbon initiative will foster the development of inter-disciplinary archaeological research and greater articulation with the earth and environmental sciences. This approach is essential for archaeologists to contribute to debates about the long-term effects of environmental change on populations into the future.Training the next generation of interdisciplinary archaeological researchers in AMS radiocarbon technology and interpretation is also a key aspect of addressing long-term effects of environmental change. NSF funds will be used to develop a visiting scholar program and a summer short course that will serve as prototypes for annual programs moving into the future. Collaborative research efforts will be expanded and existing PSU programs will be used to attract individuals from under-represented groups from nearby urban areas. These programs will provide a unique educational opportunity that is rare given the small number of AMS facilities in the US. The proposed project will facilitate engagement between faculty and students at PSU that will benefit greatly from visiting scholars and participants in the summer short course.