Dating of carbonate covering cave paintings at peruacu, Brazil by TL and EPR methods

Author(s)

Watanabe, Shigueo ^[1] ; Cano, Nilo F. ^[2] ; Carvalho-Junior, Alvaro B. ^[3] ; Ayala-Arenas, Jorge S. ^[4] ; Gonzales-Lorenzo, Carlos D. ^[1] ; Gundu Rao, T. K. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis, Rua Matao, Travessa R 187, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Rua Doutor Carvalho de Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Montes Claros, Av Doutor Ruy Braga S-N, BR-39401089 Montes Claros, MG - Brazil

^[4] Univ Nacl San Agustin Arequipa UNSA, Fac Ciencias Nat & Formales, Escuela Profes Fis, Av Independencia S-N, Arequipa - Peru

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Applied Radiation and Isotopes; v. 153, NOV 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In the present work, carbonate samples covering wall painting of four points in the same site found at Peruacu National Park in the extreme northwest of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, has been investigated and dated by thermoluminescence (TL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. The EPR spectrum of the carbonate samples presented the typical six signals due to Mn2+ ion and signals around g similar to 2.0 due to SO2- and CO2-. The thermal stability and dose response of the EPR signals were found to be suitable for an age determination using the center due to CO2-. The carbonate sample exhibits TL peaks at approximately 350 degrees C. TL and EPR dating of the carbonate samples that covered the cave paintings gave an age of 33.13 to 48.40 ka. This series of dating data indicate that in the region about 220-250 km from the coast and extending from the State of Piaui, Bahia to Minas Gerais people lived around 50000 years ago. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/03085-0 - Quaternary geochronology of Southeastern and Southern coast of Brazil
• Grantee: Shigueo Watanabe
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants