Project description
Innovative chromatography solution for radiocarbon dating
Early anatomically modern humans moved from Africa into Eurasia between 60-40 000 years ago. During this period, Neanderthals and other archaic humans disappeared to extinction. The study of this period relies on the power of radiocarbon dating for the chronological framework underpinning it. However, the overwhelming effects of even trace (~<1 %) of carbon contamination on archaeological bone samples affect reliable dating. The use of preparative liquid chromatography to isolate specific amino acids from bone collagen for radiocarbon dating emerged as a solution. Nevertheless, the slow procedure limits the advantages of this method. The EU-funded ChromaChron project will develop and commercialise a new chromatography solution to enable higher throughput and greater efficiency in these techniques for collagen-based samples.
Objective
The ERC-funded project ‘PalaeoChron’ is exploring the dispersal and chronology of early anatomically modern humans outwards from Africa and into Eurasia between 60-40,000 years ago. The study of this key period, during which Neanderthals and other archaic humans disappeared to extinction, relies on the power of radiocarbon dating for the chronological framework underpinning it. There is a huge onus on reliable dating, but this is extremely challenging due to the overwhelming effects of even trace (~<1%) amounts of carbon contamination on archaeological bone samples. To overcome this, as part of the project, we have been using preparative liquid chromatography to isolate specific amino acids from bone collagen for radiocarbon dating. This has seen a dramatic improvement in our ability to decontaminate samples for dating, and obtain accurate results. The Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU) is unique in the world in routinely using this approach for radiocarbon dating, but the current method does have some limitations despite the obvious advantages. The main limitation is the time required for the chromatography step; only one sample per day can be prepared. This Proof of Concept grant aims to develop a new chromatography solution to enable a higher throughput and a greater efficiency in the application of these purification techniques for collagen based samples. We have been working with our industrial partners in the development of the method and we want to bring a commercial product to market. Enabling this technology to be taken up by other laboratories will allow significant improvements to routine dating and geochemical analysis, thereby transforming our ability to provide a chronology for the human and environmental past.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- humanities history and archaeology archaeology ethnoarchaeology
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-PoC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.