T02_P11

The Development of an Organic Solvent Pretreatment Based on Thermodynamic Insights for the Accurate Radiocarbon Dating of Conserved Samples

Lacey T¹,  Tate A¹

¹DirectAMS, Bothell, United States

Conserved archaeological samples, while the subject of high academic interest, are challenging for radiocarbon dating laboratories because the conservation substance is usually unknown and may be chemically complex. Furthermore, the samples are typically poorly preserved, available in limited quantity, and require additional pretreatment with organic solvents to remove the applied carbon. To date, such solvent protocols have been presented with limited discussion of the underlying science of dissolution required to efficiently target the widest possible chemistries of conservation chemicals.   A novel organic solvent protocol informed by the by Hansen Solubility Parameter model is discussed and its efficacy is assessed against a diverse set of polymeric conservation chemicals.