(Untitled)

[apt_rhiannon]

Moccasin find gives Yukon more archeological footing
(see original article for pictures)

The Yukon has another valuable artifact to add to its collection of archeological finds, with the discovery of a 1,400-year-old moccasin in its icefield region.

The ancient footwear was found in the Ruby Range west of Aishihik Lake, about 150 kilometres northwest

Comments

[dorantherook]

I'm curious why they put 'dating' in quotations marks or why the article just doesn't name the type of technique used instead of just calling it special.

[apt_rhiannon]

the first time i read that, with the "dating" in quotations, i was feeling a bit silly and wondered if the technique in question wasn't something like two archeologists getting together over dinner and just discussing it. oh my.

otherwise, i would just guess that it was a typo, or that the author didn't hink it was worth getting into, or that they just didn't know, which is probably most likely. if you check out an updated version of the article, the paragraph has been changed to say:

"Using radiocarbon dating techniques, the moccasion's age was only recently determined, making it the oldest footwear found in the territory. Monahan says the mocassin was frozen in ancient snow that preserved it."

[pbmnh_anthro]

First, I always find these types of discoveries amazing. When something survives the rigors of time, which should have really disappeared to dust, I am excited. I would feel the same way if a novel, intact Maya codex was found, and I am equally amazed by the quality of the papyrus scrolls pulled from the Egyptian desert