Radiocarbon dating project!

1. Cultural Sequence , Radiocarbon Dating, &Settlement Patterns on Guam John Raz Liana De Soto Jomar Sorio Marco Rubio 5th Period

3. Chamorros had similarities between the artifacts in the Mariana Islands, the Philippines, Indonesia, and mainland Southeast Asia.

4. The skeletal remains, customs, and plants of ancient Chamorros were similar to those in Southeast Asia.

6. They radiocarbon date pieces of bone, shell, and charcoal.

7. All living things contain some radiocarbon (C14). When organisms die, the C14 will decay into nitrogen (N14).

8. Half of the C14 will decay in 5,730 (not exact). The 5,730 years is plus or minus 40 years. The remaining half of C14 will disappear in another 5,730 years and so on.Compare radiocarbon dating to: a man walking with a hole in his pocket. We know he started with 64 pennies (units of carbon 14) in his pocket. Every step (or 200 years) he will lose half the money (or carbon 14) 1 step: 32 pennies. 2 steps: 16 pennies So if he had 8 pennies in his pocket, you’d know that he took 3 steps If each step is 300 years, you’d know it took 900 years to get to the 8 pennies ( or carbon 14)

9. Layers & Artifcats

11. There are several strata deposited on the limestone bedrock. These layers are formed as either sand, dust, and debris from humans.

12. The layers are separated by deposits that formed when a previous village was abandoned or when a storm washes over a village site.

13. The top layers of ancient Chamorros normally contain the latte stones, pottery fragments, shell and stone tools, slingstones, and fishhooks.

14. Towards the bottom of layer 1, the the pottery styles changes because it was probably the Pre-latte Period.

15. Most Pre-latte Period artifatcs of ancient Chamorros are found in Layers II and through VIII.

16. The layers where there are not many artifacts, but mostly sand (2,4,&6) are the results of supertyphoons.

18. Settlement Patterns on Guam The most important archaeologist sites on Guam are various places near the shore (since this is where most islanders settled because of the resources available) About 150 different village sites have been found on Guam. During the Latte Period, because of a change in sea level, settlement moved in two directions: seaward to a new beach or inland because of the increased population. Super-typhoons (like in layer 2) disturbed the large population’s food source for there were not enough fish to provide. That’s when the islanders started deep sea fishing. During the same time period, trade increased among the Pacific, which was how rice was introduced to the Chamorros who were desperate to feed their growing population. Where rice could be grown was valuable land for the swampy areas would grow a lot of rice in just a small part. This resulted in warfare, evidence being the creation of sling stones. Their custom is to share food, so the islanders must have thought the land was necessary for their survival.

19. Latte Stones The building of huge stone monuments in the Pacific increased. Since most trees were destroyed in the super-typhoon, Chamorros turned to stone structures for house supports. Theorized reasons for latte stones: Shock absorbers from tremors and typhoons Prevented rodents and crabs Wooden pillars rot in Marianas islands’ climate Breeze under the house, Protected from mud Intimidates attackers The tallest standing latte stones are on Tinian up to 16ft. tall. The never finished latte stones on Rota weighed over 24 tons. Overall, latte houses were long lasting structures that provided protection, ventilation, and prestige.

20. Questions