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An archaeological excavation conducted on U Kasáren St. in the Prague Castle area (Czech Republic) in 2020 revealed the remains of a medieval settlement consisting of houses of different constructions (pit dwelling, masonry construction), pyrotechnical (possibly metallurgical) features and unspecified pits. The excavation also revealed evidence of fire events and traces of viniculture on the outskirts of the Prague Castle area. Archaeological data allowed only a rough dating of the investigated settlement in the 10th–13th centuries. This paper presents the results of the radiocarbon dating of various materials (animal bones, archaeobotanical samples) from the settlement features and the contribution of the results to the clarification of the chronology of the site.

Compound-specific radiocarbon analysis has played important role in the methodology applied in radiocarbon dating since the development of modern analytical instrumentation. Thank to this evolution it is nowadays possible to radiocarbon date samples which would be normally considered as undatable due to their heterogenous nature or secondary contamination. The aim of this review is to introduce molecular-specific radiocarbon dating approach and show some particular applications already successfully tested and used in radiocarbon dating.

The history of radiocarbon dating is defined by several major milestones – its own discovery, the forced revision of basic principles, the discovery of accelerator mass spectrometry and anthropogenic influences. The current capabilities of the method are demonstrated through two forensic applications in the field of crime against humans and endangered species.

The subject of the article is the “group” Unětice culture cemetery from the Early Bronze Age investigated in 2014 in Lovosice (Litoměřice district, northwest Bohemia). The cemetery’s dating to 2021–1751 BC corresponds to the mature stage of the Unětice culture in other parts of Bohemia (Moucha’s preclassical and classical stages). The cemetery is characterised by stone and apparently even wooden structures, multiple burials and the exclusive presence of miniature vessels. The population was composed primarily of old adults with the corresponding degenerative productive changes; only two non-adults were determined. Epigenetic marks on the skeletons testifying to a certain degree of kinship between the buried individuals were documented at the group cemetery and outside of it. New excavations have provided more detailed information on the spatial structure of burial grounds which, in addition to large cemeteries (of the Liběšovice, Březno near Louny, and Velke Žernoseky type), are composed of cemeteries with 10–20 graves, small groups of graves and solitary graves. These are also frequently accompanied by contemporary settlements located either close to the cemeteries or, as in the case of Lovosice, in the middle of the burial grounds. The spatial distribution of exogenous artefacts (amber beads, gold ornaments, silicite daggers) points to the possibility of the existence of an established network of long-distance routes in northwest Bohemia in the Early Bronze Age. One of the possible nodal points connected to the long-distance exchange system could have been located in the lower Ohře River region. This is documented, among other things, by the concentration of burial grounds with exceptional finds, settlements with evidence of metallurgy and the largest Bohemian hoards of ingots concentrated in the geographically defined microregion of Lovosice.

Twenty-five samples of ivory artefacts were analysed using a radiocarbon dating method. These artefacts were part of a collection of 77 items seized during a wildlife law enforcement operation targeting online illegal ivory trade. Based on the opinion of a qualified expert, 14 of the 25 samples were declared antique, meaning their presumed origin is older than 1947. According to the European Union’s law, antique ivory is exempt from an otherwise total ban on commercial ivory activities since such trade does not contribute to the current decline in elephant population. The radiocarbon measurement has revealed alarming findings that 17 of the 25 processed samples (68%) are not antique as their origin is younger than 1947. The antique expert’s determination of the ivory age failed in 12 of 14 cases (86%).

Organic inclusions in lime binders provide useful samples for radiocarbon dating of historical objects. Two Czech castles Týřov and Pyšolec from Late Middle Ages were explored, and tens of charcoals were found in their walls. The radiocarbon content of the charcoals was measured with accelerator mass spectrometry. The dating results showed that none of the charcoals were younger than the known historical ages (Týřov: 1260 - 1270, Pyšolec: 1300 - 1340), but some were considerably older. Two charcoals from Pyšolec castle dated to Palaeolithic, likely originating from fluvial sediments added as an aggregate to the mortar. When excluding these two charcoals, the others indicated most likely dates being 50–100 y older than the building dates of the castles. This systemic effect corresponds to the age of wood used for lime burning and shall be accounted for when dating mortars using charcoals.

The main objective of the article is to present knowledge of newly discovered sites in the mountainous environment of Šumava (Bohemian Forest). The fieldwork in 2011–2019 identified a total of 30 new sites that can be dated to the Late Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods. The research of prehistoric settlement of the mountainous regions of Bohemia remained a neglected topic for many years. The presence of hunters-gatherers in the mountains in the Mesolithic was documented by isolated finds from the Ore Mountains and a far greater number from Šumava in south Bohemia. This study presents the result of research conducted in three identified locations: in the floodplains of the Roklanský Stream, the Upper Vltava (Moldau) and the Křemelná Stream. The article documents that the network of sites in this space is relatively dense. Although remnants of intact situations are documented in rare cases, the dating of the majority of sites is based solely on lithic assemblages of varying size. Due to the fragmented condition of the obtained material, we discuss the extent to which it is possible to set the survey results in the broader context of central European Mesolithic settlement and present additional thoughts on the density, character and structure of the settlement of central European mountain ranges. Late Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, lithics, mountain settlement, subsistence strategy, Šumava (Bohemian Forest)

Carbon cycle receives growing attention, in particular in connection with the climate change. Radiocarbon (14C) serves not only as the well-known basis of a dating technique but also as a tracer of the global carbon cycle, enabling one to assess the sizes of diverse compartments, fluxes between them and the related characteristic times. Mathematical modelling of the carbon cycle helps integrate the measurements, estimate the roles of underpinning processes and provide predictions, for instance on future CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere for various emission scenarios. We present a model based on a single-box atmosphere, ocean surface layer, one-dimensional diffusive ocean and two-box biota. We discuss its validation against measured data, predictions on future CO2 levels and interpretation of past events on the radiocarbon calibration curve.

Elephants are on the verge of extinction due to extensive poaching to obtain ivory and illegal income. According to international law, the trade in ivory of African elephants is outlawed, with a few exceptions, as for example in European Union for antique ivory obtained before 1947. There is basically only one physical method for determining the age of ivory and that is radiocarbon dating. The method uses artificially temporarily enhanced 14C content in the atmosphere to date relevant samples with high resolution. Since this advantage is slowly fading, the question arises of how to fill in the loss of the resolution. One possibility is exploiting the chronology of ivory. This work studies a whole elephant tusk and uses radiocarbon dating of samples obtained longitudinally and transversely from along the tusk to analyse the growth rate.

The dating of skeletal remains in archaeology is difficult, especially at findings without burial equipment. In this case, apart from literary and iconographic sources, anthropological and palaeopathological analyses, the radiocarbon dating method can also be used. We present an example where we used this procedure in the dating of the skeletal remains of an anonymous recent mass grave, found in the cellars of one of the houses in Brno (Czech Republic). On the basis of an assessment of the archaeological and anthropological context, in combination with radiocarbon dating, it could be concluded that the found skeletal remains were most likely of soldiers who died in the provisional military hospital as a result of injury or infection after the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. An alternative hypothesis, that they are the remains of soldiers who died in the Battle of Hradec Kralove in 1866, was excluded by radiocarbon dating.

Total nitrogen content via instrumental photon activation analysis was determined to reveal the matrix composition of the bracelet from the late Bronze Age found in the site (hill fort) Sovi Skaly in Karlovy Vary – Drahovice (Drahovice cadastre, Czech Republic) from the collections of the Museum Karlovy Vary. Its exact age was determined by radiocarbon dating.

Gothic arch calcite, a specific crystallographic variety of calcite known from some hot springs and tufa streams, has been newly recognized in the Koněprusy Caves. The gothic-arch calcite occurs on the exteriors of exotic coralloid speleothems where it coexists with scalenohedral (dogtooth) spar crystals. The crystals exhibit microscopic ultrastructural features including deeply eroded topography, etch pits, and spiky and ribbon calcite crystallites, pointing to its extensive natural etching. Many gothic-arch calcites originated as late-stage, secondary overgrowths on older, etched dogtooth calcite crystals. Its characteristic outward curvature resulted from the recrystallization of etching-liberated fine carbonate grains and newly formed needle-fiber calcite laths, which were accumulated and bound on the faces and at the bases of corroded crystals. These intimately coexisting destructive and constructive processes of carbonate crystal corrosion and growth were probably mediated by bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms. Fluid inclusions embedded in calcite crystals point to a vadose setting and temperatures below ~50 °C. This, combined with the wider geological context, indicates that the gothic arch calcite crystals originated only during the late Pleistocene to Holocene epochs, when the cave, initially eroded by hypogene fluids in the deeper subsurface, was uplifted to the subaerial setting and exposed to the meteoric waters seeping from the topographic surface. The radiocarbon analysis shows that gothic-arch calcite crystals are generally older than ~55,000 years, but the surface layers of some crystals still reveal a weak 14C activity, suggesting that microbiologically mediated alterations of the speleothems may have been occurring locally until now.

The Nuclear Physics Institute (NPI) of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) operates, among other facilities, a Tandetron linear accelerator, TR-24 and U-120M cyclotrons, and an MT25 microtron. A new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) instrument, MILEA, has recently been acquired. Except for the MT25, all facilities are synergic parts of the Centre of Accelerators and Nuclear Analytical Methods Research Infrastructure (CANAM RI) ( http://canam.ujf.cas.cz ). This paper demonstrates the instrumental, scientific and application capabilities of the devices for many fundamental nuclear physics experiments and a wide spectrum of applications. The Tandetron Laboratory has a full arsenal of ion-beam analytical methods, ion-beam nano- and microstructuring techniques, as well as tools for the doping and synthesis of new progressive materials using energetic ion beams. It uniquely utilises ion beams for 3D elemental mapping; it studies internal morphology using ion-microprobe methods applicable in many scientific branches. The TR-24 and U-120M cyclotrons provide the primary beams of accelerated ions as well as the generated secondary fast neutrons, including the necessary instrumentation and the target technology, and enable fundamental experiments in nuclear physics, astrophysics, dosimetry, etc. The microtron MT25 is a source of relativistic electrons (the primary electron beam), the secondary photon beam (bremsstrahlung) and neutrons from photonuclear reactions which are used, e.g. for analysis and preservation of cultural heritage. The MILEA AMS system offers a highly sensitive isotopic ratio measurement of very long-lived radionuclides at levels up to 10–15.

Industrial revolution induced contamination of lowland rivers and floodplain soils with heavy metals worldwide. This pollution was particularly significant in former coal mining regions where hard coal was utilised in various industrial facilities like coke, iron and steel works. The upper Odra River draining Ostrava Coal District in Czech and Upper Silesia mining region in Poland is an example of such a European river with strong historical pollution followed by modern one originating from heavy industry in times of communistic industrialisation in both countries. In the presented studies we sought 19th and 20th century transboundary contamination of the upper Odra River waters recorded in floodplain soil by the most common potentially toxic elements, i.e. lead and zinc as well as by the presence of magnetic particles (spherules). We expected to reveal the general pattern of the Odra River floodplain soil contamination with risk elements which allow us to differentiate sediments of the industrial and pre-industrial era. We used robust regression and robust principal component analysis, using a log-ratio methodology of compositional data analysis, which is a fast and effective tool in assessing contamination levels. Significant increases in risk element concentrations were found downstream from the Ostrava–Bohumin agglomeration, and in some places they exceed the safety limits for agricultural soils in Poland. A comparison of sediments within and outside of the inter-embankment zone showed no systematic difference in their contamination levels suggesting that the sediments were probably contaminated before dike construction mainly since the half of 19th century.

Jeden z problémů středoevropského eneolitu představuje pohřební ritus badenské kultury, vcelku dobře dokumentovaný ve východní části jejího rozšíření a o to hůře v oblasti západní, kam spadají i Čechy. Předmětem předloženého příspěvku je prezentace prvních uspokojivě dokumentovaných kostrových hrobů ze jmenované oblasti, které byly prozkoumány v Holubicích, okr. Praha-západ. Práce přináší kromě zevrubného vyhodnocení nálezové situace a všech získaných pramenů též soubor radiokarbonových dat. Dále je v ní řešena detailní chronologická pozice hrobů a míra jejich podobnosti s projevy pohřbívání v jiných oblastech rozšíření badenského komplexu. One important issue in the central European Eneolithic is the Baden culture burial rite, which is documented quite well in the eastern part of its territory, though worse in the western region, including Bohemia. The subject of this article is the presentation of the first satisfactorily documented inhumation graves from the specified area investigated in Holubice in the Prague-západ district. In addition to a thorough evaluation of the find situation and all of the acquired sources, the article also provides a set of radiocarbon dates. The work establishes the detailed chronological position of the graves and the degree of their similarity to the manifestations of burials in other areas of the Baden complex.

The Carpathian Mountains across Slovakia and Romania are home of several ice caves located at elevations between 700 and 1,200 m above sea level (asl). Although the mean surface annual temperature is above the freezing point, perennial ice deposits are common in caves and shafts with certain morphologies (large entrances followed by steep vertical or downward-sloping passages), into which the dense cold winter air sinks and remains trapped all year round. A particular type of cave pearls (cryogenic cave pearls, CCPs) occur in spatially restricted accumulations or extensive pearl fields (layers locally up to 0.5 m in thickness) within the scree covering the cave floor in the periglacial zone of these caves. The temperature in the periglacial zone oscillates around the freezing point, promoting seasonal ice formation. A similar type of pearl is observed in the entrance section of other caves that experience temporary freezing conditions during the cold season. When compared to pearls of non-iced caves, those from ice caves always occur at sites where liquid water cannot accumulate. CCP formation in nests with drips or in cave pools surrounded by rimstone dams is therefore excluded. Freezing–thawing processes are responsible for moving the pearls, preventing their cementation to the floor or between them. Results of U-series and radiocarbon dating indicate that the pearls are Holocene in age, with their growth continuing into the present. Pearls show high porosity, ranging from 7.6 to 22.6%. In the center they frequently contain radial aggregates of larger carbonate crystals, and their concentric layering is less obvious compared to normal cave pearls. In addition, polygonal pearls and pearl aggregates are common. Stable carbon and oxygen isotope study indicates the formation of an initial crystal aggregate by cryogenic precipitation during freezing of drip water. After that, pearls grow by addition of new carbonate layers, either at water freezing conditions or at temperature above 0°C. Overall, the pearl isotope data plot along a mixing line in the δ13C vs. δ18O diagram, connecting the field of normal speleothems of non-iced caves of the area, with the field of fine-grained cryogenic carbonate powder, formed in the glaciated parts of the ice caves. Seasonal water freezing and frost action in the cave periglacial zone is a necessary condition for the formation of these pearls.

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to determine 129I and the 129I/127I ratio in bovine thyroid, moss, and river sediment samples collected in the vicinity of the Temelin nuclear power plant (NPP) in south Bohemia. The NAA procedures comprised pre-irradiation separation of 129I by combustion of the samples in the stream of oxygen at 1,000 °C and trapping the liberated iodine in a LiOH/(NH4)2SO3 solution. Post-irradiation separation of 130I produced by the reaction 129I(n,γ)130I was carried out by extraction of elementary iodine with chloroform followed by precipitation of PdI2. Nondestructive, epithermal NAA was used to determine 127I employing the 127I(n,γ)128I reaction. The results showed that mean values of 129I and the 129I/127I ratio in the bovine thyroids varied from 22 to 61 mBq kg−1 (dry mass) and 2.8 × 10−9 to 5.4 × 10−9, respectively. These values are close to the lower end of results reported from various regions non-polluted with 129I. No significant differences were found between 129I concentrations and the 129I/127I ratios in the bovine thyroids collected prior to the start and after several years of operation of the NPP. The mean value and standard deviation of 129I in mBq kg−1, dry mass and the 129I/127I ratio in moss Pleurozium schreberi were 23 ± 16 and 2.3 × 10−9, respectively, whereas values of 129I in the river sediments were below 8–10 mBq kg−1 (dry mass) after several years of the NPP operation.

Sediment profiles from the floodplain of Morava River in the Czech Republic have been collected from exposed river banks (4–6 m long sections) and cores (2–4 m deep) and investigated using a set of geochemical proxies validated by granulometry and conventional geochemical analysis, outlined in our previous paper. The work was conducted to evaluate the increase in sedimentation rate during Medieval and modern time periods. Correlation of sediments along the current channel belt allows identification of two most important synchronous changes in the channel structure over the past 1300 years: in the 13th century and at the end of the 16th century. These changes could be related to central European climatic extremes rather than to land cover/land use practises. Analysis of the pollen record in peaty deposits at the floodplain edge allows excluded dramatic deforestation in Medieval times. Maps of the area from the last five centuries revealed direct and indirect signs of past avulsions and clearly show how the original multichannel system was transformed into a single meandering channel in the early 20th century. The extrapolated aggradation rate (net vertical accretion of floodplain fines except for levee sediments) increased from 0.2–0.3 cm/year in 700 AD to 0.3–0.4 cm/year in 2000 AD depending on the grain size of the sediment. This is the smallest yet reported enhancement of siliclastic deposition, although Morava River watershed has been intensively used for agriculture and its land cover has changed in a manner similar to west and central European rivers.

article i nfo The floodplain of the Morava River in Stražnicke Pomoravi, south-east Moravia, Czech Republic contains a very valuable record of regional environmental change, which goes back to several thousand years. Its interpretation has been limited by poor stratigraphic correlation and dating of the sediments. We present a geochemical solution to this challenge. We studied 8 outcrops of floodplain deposits from 4 localities along a 6 km long part of the current meander belt of the Morava River in Stražnicke Pomoravi using geochemical proxy analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, 14 C dating of wood remnants, and sediment micromorphology. The proxy methods are based on elemental analysis (EDXRF) and analysis of the cation exchange capacity of clay minerals; granulometric analyses provided the basis for lithological and facies assignment of the sediments. Our geochemical and mineralogical interpretations have further been tested by microstratigraphically studying the optical properties of the fine fraction. Horizons older than about 3 centuries were 14

Copper(II) triethylenetetramine [Cu(trien)]2+ is an agent suitable for the 1-step determination of the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of many geomaterials using a procedure much less laborious than other, commonly used methods. It is also suitable for the determination of the composition of original exchangeable cations. In contrast to other common ions used for CEC analysis, the Cu(II) complex with triethylenetetramine, [Cu(trien)]2+, is specific for expandable clay minerals. The robustness of [Cu(trien)]2+ analysis was verified using reference clays, ion-exchanged reference clays, sediments, and soils. The [Cu(trien)]2+-based CEC of expandable clay minerals is not influenced significantly by ferrihydrite, goethite, manganite, birnessite, calcite, and gypsum. Birnessite, calcite, and gypsum admixtures affect the composition of the evolved cations. [Cu(trien)]2+ does not recover the entire CEC of soils (but rather that of the clay minerals only) which contain components other than clays which contribute to the CEC, e.g. soil organic matter. In a series of loess with buried paleosols and recent soils the [Cu(trien)]2+-based CEC ranged from 30 to 110% of total CEC obtained by traditional BaCl2 methods. The relative ratio of Ca to Mg, the prevailing exchangeable cations in soils and sediments in exogenic environments, are similar after [Cu(trien)]2+ and conventional BaCl2 treatments. The Ca/Mg ratio in the exchangeable fraction was used successfully for chemostratigraphic correlation of paleolacustrine sediments from a large lake in the Upper Carboniferous basins of eastern equatorial Pangaea and a series of recent flood plain sediments of the meandering Morava River in the Czech Republic. The Ca/Mg ratio obtained by [Cu(trien)]2+ analysis is proposed as a novel tool for the chemostratigraphic correlation of sediment series containing expandable clay minerals.