Radiocarbon dating of mumiyo from the Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica

Abstract

Accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) radiocarbon dating of mumiyo deposited by snow petrels at nesting sites in the Vestfold Hills indicates the colonies were established after 4800 yr BP (uncorrected for marine reservoir effect). Sites on the highest hills were probably established first, but colonisation took place long after initial deglaciation, which was well advanced by 12.5k yr BP. The reason for late colonisation is not known. Perhaps older sites exist, but current evidence suggests the main colonisation occurred after the mid-Holocene re-advance of the Sorsdal Glacier. (il3C values indicate a diet of krill.