Radiocarbon reservoir age variations in the south Peruvian upwelling during the Holocene.

Abstract

In Quebrada de los Burros in coastal southern Peru (Tacna department), human settlements containing shells and charcoal deposits have been excavated since 1995. The sea surface (super 14) C reservoir ages, estimated by calculating the difference of (super 14) C age between marine shells and terrestrial organic materials, exhibit high values during the lower and middle Holocene and decrease abruptly after 4000 cal BP. The increase of reservoir age at around 7000-8000 cal BP suggests an enhancement of Peruvian coastal upwelling intensity and changes in ocean circulation at intermediate depth.