Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Dating of Hominid-Bearing Deposits in the Caverna delle Fate, Ligure, Italy

Stalagmitic floors interstratified with Mousterian deposits from the Caverna delle Fate (Italy) have been dated by the electron spin resonance (ESR) method. Three samples dated fall between 60,000 and 74,000 yr and indicate the age of the Mousterian deposits. They are in good agreement with eges determined by nondestructive "y-ray spectrometry of the human remains from 231Pa/235U and 230Th/234U ratios, which are, respectively, 75,000+21000 -14000 and 82,000 +36000 - 25000 These dates are consistent with the morphological characteristics of the bones as Neanderthal remains