This study demonstrates a novel approach to overcoming challenges associated with obtaining reliable radiocarbon dates for rock paintings. Using two independent methods, we obtained ages for Pecos River style paintings at Eagle Cave in Langtry, Texas. The first method employed plasma oxidation to isolate organic carbon directly from the paint layer for accelerator mass spectrometry C-14 measurement. The second method treated mineral accretion layers with phosphoric acid to isolate calcium oxalate for plasma oxidation cleaning, combustion, and C-14 measurement to obtain minimum and maximum ages for the paintings. Radiocarbon dates for the paintings are statistically indistinguishable, with a weighted average of 3280 ± 70 years BP calibrated to 1740-1420 cal BC (3690-3370 cal BP) at 2 sigma (95.4%) probability. Radiocarbon assays obtained for the overlying accretion layers are younger and underlying accretion layers are older. The chronological stratigraphy of the accretion and paint layers supports the validity of both dating methods. With accurate and reliable dating methods, rock paintings in the region can be studied alongside excavated cultural deposits to provide a more complete understanding of this hunter-gather society. These methods for dating rock paintings can be applied to many rock art provinces around the world.

这项研究证明了一种新颖的方法，可以克服与获得可靠的岩画放射性碳数据有关的挑战。使用两种独立的方法，我们获得了得克萨斯州Langtry的Eagle Cave的Pecos River风格绘画的年龄。第一种方法采用等离子氧化将有机碳直接从涂料层中分离出来，以进行加速器质谱C-14的测量。第二种方法是用磷酸处理矿物积聚层，以分离草酸钙，以进行等离子体氧化清洁，燃烧和C-14测量，从而获得绘画的最小和最大年龄。这些画的放射性碳日期在统计学上是无法区分的，加权平均3280±70年BP以2σ（95.4％）的概率校准为1740-1420 cal BC（3690-3370 cal BP）。上层吸积层获得的放射性碳测定较年轻，下层吸积层较旧。积层和油漆层的年代地层学证明了两种测年方法的有效性。利用准确可靠的约会方法，可以与挖掘的文化沉积物一起研究该地区的岩画，以更全面地了解这个猎人聚居的社会。这些用于对岩画进行约会的方法可以应用于世界上许多岩石艺术省。可以与挖掘的文化沉积物一起研究该地区的岩画，以更全面地了解这个猎人社会。这些用于对岩画进行约会的方法可以应用于世界上许多岩石艺术省。可以与挖掘的文化沉积物一起研究该地区的岩画，以更全面地了解这个猎人社会。这些用于对岩画进行约会的方法可以应用于世界上许多岩石艺术省。