Export permit for 2021 sediment and bone samples from Lovedale and Damvlei

Sediment and bone samples were collected to perform a number of analyses. More specifically, sediments will be analyzed using infrared spectroscopy and micromorphology. Infrared spectroscopy provides a chemical characterization of sediments, bones and teeth that allows understanding their composition and state of preservation. Micromorphology allows the reconstruction of site formation processes based on the identification of microscopic sedimentary structures in thin sections of sediment.Teeth will be analyzed with infrared spectroscopy and dated using electron spin resonance (ESR). ESR dating provides accurate age determinations based on the accumulation of electrons in hydroxyapatite minerals. The aim of these analyses is to obtain accurate age determinations, reconstruct site formation processes, and the degree of preservation of faunal material.