We used C-14 dating of microbial cells extracted from the upper organic horizon of buried soil (method is described in Khomutova et al., 2007). A sample of microbial cells extracted from A-horizons of buried paleosoil (apr. 1800 y. BP according archeological dating, excavated beneath an Iron Age burial mound, Volgograd region) was dated using radiocarbon method (AMS) in Ångström Laboratory, Div. of Ion Physics, 14C-lab, Uppsala. Calibrated age (1957± 30 BP) was found to be close to the predicted value.

Khomutova T.E., Demkina T.S., Borisov A.V., Kashirskaya N.N., Yeltsov M.V., Demkin V.A. (2007) An assessment of changes in properties of steppe kurgan paleosoils in relation to prevailing climates overrecent millennia. Quaternary Research 67, 328-336.

Thanks for such a nice and detailed explanation........I will go through it.

Because you are specialized in this field, so i am just asking a question for my curiosity. 'It is reported that, in carbonate terrain due to hard water effects, its not easy to make a perfect age model. Because old carbon from the carbonate rocks bias the age of modern sediments. Some times modern plants gives the age of 1000 y. BP. So what would be the chance of success, if we use bacteria for such process.'

Also which kind of bacteria are you talking about.

Hi Praveen,

No matter what kinds of sample you use to date carbonate terrain, bacteria or carbonate itself, you must carefully select and separate them from matrix if you want a successful dating. As for using bacteria to date carbonate terrain, how do you know the bacteria you select represent the time you want to know?

Good luck

Hailin