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Durham University

Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS)

Staff and Governance

Core Staff

The day-to-day running of IMEMS is the responsibility of the Core Executive Committee, comprising the Director and Associate Directors and the Administrator. 

Publication details for Dr Andrew R Millard

Millard AR & R.E.M. Hedges (1996). A diffusion-adsorption model of uranium uptake by archaeological bone. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 60: 2139-2152.

Author(s) from Durham

Abstract

An argument for the possibility of uranium uptake by buried bone taking place through the adsorption of uranyl species on bone mineral is advanced. In the light of this a diffusion-adsorption model for uranium uptake by buried bone is developed, the necessary constants are evaluated from the literature and from laboratory measurements of the partition coefficient between solution and bone mineral. The geochemical and hydrological parameters which control uptake are discussed. The predictions of the model are shown to be in general accordance with the timescale, magnitude, and distribution of uranium uptake in archaeological bone. Using the model, specific predictions of the variation of apparent uranium-series ages in bone can be made, and bone is shown clearly not to conform to the closed system assumption. When the model is extended to tooth enamel it is found to be incompatible with the early uptake model used for ESR dating, but to fall between the early uptake and linear uptake models. Similarly, it suggests that uranium-series dates on enamel assuming a closed system are liable to underestimate the true age by at least one-third.

Full Executive Committee

Our Full Executive Committee is made up of the Core Executive Committee, listed above, plus a number of executive members including:

International Advisory Board

We are extremely fortunate to have be able to call on the help and guidance of colleagues from around the world who help to shape and guide our direction, strategy and international reach. Our current Advisory Board members are: