Building better biochronology: New fossils and <sup>40</sup> Ar/ <sup>39</sup> Ar radioisotopic dates from Central Anatolia
Abstract
Türkiye’s geographic position between Europe, Asia, and Africa gives it pivotal importance for understanding the local, interregional, and intercontinental dynamics of Neogene vertebrate evolution. Although rich in vertebrate fossil deposits spanning the Middle and Late Miocene, associated geochronology has been limited by the lack of available volcanic materials that allow radioisotopic dating and geochemical correlation. As a result, calibrating mammalian evolution has been largely restricted to the semicircular application of paleomagnetic inferences combined with temporally ill-constrained and geographically remote biochronological deductions. For example, fossils from three Greek localities and one Anatolian locality assigned to the primate genus Ouranopithecus lack datable samples, leaving its ages poorly constrained. Chronological calibration based on the 40 Ar/ 39 Ar results reported here demonstrates how a fauna-focused, precision geochronology can enhance a better understanding of evolving species lineages and the ecosystems they comprise.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (17)
Andrew Tholt
Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California
Okşan Başoğlu
Department of Anthropology, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University
Yener Bektaş
Department of Archeology, Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University
Raymond Bernor
Department of Paleontology, Virginia Museum of Natural History
Joshua P. Carlson
Human Evolution Research Center, University of California at Berkeley
Ömer Dağ
Kayseri Science Center
Uğur Doğan
Department of Geography, Ankara University
Ahmet Cem Erkman
Faculty of Science and Literature, Department of Anthropology, Ahi Evran University
Ferhat Kaya
Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu
Nuretdin Kaymakçı
Department of Geological Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Üniversiteler Mahallesi
Pınar Gözlük Kırmızıoğlu
Department of Anthropology, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University
Maud J. M. Meijers
Department of Earth Sciences, NAWI Graz Geocenter, University of Graz
Özge Kahya Parıldar
Department of Anthropology, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University
Cesur Pehlevan
Department of Philosophy, Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University
Emrah Şimşek
General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration
Tim White
Human Evolution Research Center, University of California at Berkeley
Paul Renne
Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California