Frequently preserved in archaeological and palaeontological sites, the tiny size of small‐mammal remains favours percolations into underlying layers along stratigraphic sequences. This is one of the various postdepositional processes that may affect the integrity of the original deposits and therefore the subsequent scientific interpretations. Recent developments in sample preparation offer the possibility of detecting intrusive episodes through the absolute dating of minute amounts of bone (down to 10 mg), meaning that isolated elements (such as mandibles in this case) are sufficient to obtain reliable radiocarbon dates if collagen is moderately to well preserved. The radiocarbon dates obtained here for small‐mammal bones (recovered from pre‐Bolling to recent deposits) and their comparison with previous dates obtained from other sources (large‐mammal bones, charcoal, botanical samples, etc.), with different protocols and instruments, illustrate the potential of small‐mammal dating to reveal (and eventually contribute a solution to) stratigraphical issues in different archaeological contexts.

中文翻译：

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使用来自小型哺乳动物遗骸的直接放射性碳测年检测地层问题

小哺乳动物遗骸经常保存在考古和古生物遗址中，微小的尺寸有利于沿地层序列渗入下伏层。这是可能影响原始沉积物完整性以及随后的科学解释的各种沉积后过程之一。样品制备的最新进展提供了通过微量骨骼（低至 10 毫克）的绝对测年检测侵入性事件的可能性，这意味着如果胶原蛋白被分离，则分离元素（例如本例中的下颌骨）足以获得可靠的放射性碳测年。中度到保存完好。