[Aztlan] "Oldest human" find

[Michael Smith]

There is an old saying among radiocarbon dating experts: "One date is no
date" (M. J. Aitken, 1990, Science-Based Dating in Archaeology. Longman,
New York, p.95). Due to the probabilistic nature of radiocarbon dating,
one needs multiple reinforcing dates before one can claim to have
"dated" a context or find. Therefore it is very risky to base
conclusions about the age of a sample from a single radiocarbon date,
particularly when carbon preservation conditions are poor (as in this
case). When those conclusions concern a noteworthy find, such as "The
oldest such-and-such," one has to wonder at the wisdom of staking a
major claim on such a flimsy basis. Now maybe the bones ARE as old as
claimed, but I for one will withhold judgment until basic archaeological
standards of evidence are provided.

Dr. Michael E. Smith
Professor of Anthropology
School of Human Evolution & Social Change
Arizona State University
www.public.asu.edu/~mesmith9/