Lowy Daniel A.

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Lowy

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Daniel A.

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African baobabs with double closed ring-shaped structures and two separate false cavities : radiocarbon investigation of the baobab of Golconda Fort

(Studia Chemia, 2016) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Bodis, Jeno ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Forizs, Edit ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article discloses the results of radiocarbon investigation of the baobab of Golconda Fort, Hyderābād, India, which is the largest African baobab outside Africa. Two wood samples were collected from the large inner cavity; of these we extracted several segments for AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating. The oldest sample segment had a radiocarbon date of 342 ± 22 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 430 ± 20 yr. We estimate that the oldest part of the baobab has an age of 475 ± 50 yr. The investigation of the baobab of Golconda Fort revealed that it consists of 6 + 2 fused stems. Six stems build two rings that close two distinct false cavities, while two additional stems are located outside the rings. We called this new type of architecture double closed ring-shaped structure with two separate false cavities.
Radiocarbon dating of Makuri Le boom, a very old African baobab from Nyae Nyae, Namibia

(Department of Chemistry, 2020) Patrut, Roxana T. ; Patrut, Adrian ; Rakosy, Demetra ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Bodis, Jeno ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating results of Makuri Lê boom, a very large African baobab from Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Namibia. The investigation of this superlative baobab shows that it consists of 12 independent stems of different dimensions, which belong to three generations. Makuri Lê boom has an open ring-shaped structure, a type of architecture which allows baobabs to reach very large sizes and old ages. The oldest sample has a radiocarbon date of 1602 ± 17 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 1520 ± 35 calendar yr. By this value, Makuri Lê boom becomes one of the oldest dated baobabs and angiosperms with accurate dating results.
Radiocarbon investigation of the Superlative African Baobabs from Savé Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe

(Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Department of Chemistry, 2019) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Margineanu, Dragos ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article reports the radiocarbon investigation results of the superlative African baobabs from Savé Valley, Zimbabwe. Several wood samples collected from these baobab were analysed by AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating. The radiocarbon dates of the oldest samples were 1529 ± 14 BP for Matendere Big baobab, 1179 ± 19 BP for Chishakwe Big tree and 1096 ± 35 BP for Mokore Giant baobab. The corresponding calibrated ages are 1430 ± 15, 1090 ± 40 and 1020 ± 25 calendar yr. The oldest tree from Savé Valley, which we described previously, is the Humani Bedford Old baobab. The radiocarbon date of its oldest sample, 1655 ± 14 BP, corresponds to a calibrated age of 1580 ± 30 calendar yr.
Radiocarbon investigation of the pedunculate oak of Botosana, Romania

(Studia Chemia, 2018) Patrut, Adrian ; Robu, Nicolae ; Savu, Vasile ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Rakosky, Laszlo ; Ratiu, Ileana-Andreea ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Margineanu, Dragos ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article discloses the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating results of the pedunculate oak of Botoşana. Four wood samples were extracted from its trunk. Five segments extracted from these samples were analyzed by AMS radiocarbon. Their radiocarbon dates were found to be between 161 ± 21 BP and 260 ± 20 BP. These values correspond to calibrated ages of 235 – 365 years. The dating results extrapolated to the geometric center of the trunk indicate an age of 645 ± 50 years for the oak of Botoşana.
Fire history of a giant African baobab evinced by radiocarbon dating

(Dept. of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 2010-08) Patrut, Adrian ; Mayne, Diana H. ; von Reden, Karl F. ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Van Pelt, Robert ; McNichol, Ann P. ; Roberts, Mark L. ; Margineanu, Dragos

The article reports the first radiocarbon dating of a live African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.), by investigating wood samples collected from 2 inner cavities of the very large 2-stemmed Platland tree of South Africa. Some 16 segments extracted from determined positions of the samples, which correspond to a depth of up to 15–20 cm in the wood, were processed and analyzed by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Calibrated ages of segments are not correlated with their positions in the stems of the tree. Dating results indicate that the segments originate from new growth layers, with a thickness of several centimeters, which cover the original old wood. Four new growth layers were dated before the reference year AD 1950 and 2 layers were dated post-AD 1950, in the post-bomb period. Formation of these layers was triggered by major damage inside the cavities. Fire episodes are the only possible explanation for such successive major wounds over large areas or over the entire area of the inner cavities of the Platland tree, able to trigger regrowth.
African baobabs with a very large number of stems and false stems : radiocarbon Investigation of the baobab of Warang

(Studia Chemia, 2017-03) Patrut, Adrian ; Garnaud, Sébastien ; Ka, Oumar ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Diagne, Tomas ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Forizs, Edit ; Bodis, Jeno ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article presents the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating results of the baobab of Warang, Senegal. The investigation of the baobab revealed that it consists of 18 partially fused stems, which represents the largest number of stems reported for an African baobab. Three stems build the ring that closes a false cavity, while 15 stems grow outside the ring. Seven wood samples were collected from the false cavity and from the outer part of other stems. The dating results evinced that the stems belong to four different generations, out of which the first generation is around 500 years old. We also documented the presence of false stems, which emerge from a large adjacent stem, are triangular in horizontal section and act as an anchor. The baobab of Warang possesses 12 ordinary stems and 6 false stems.
Radiocarbon dating of a very old African baobab from Savé Valley, Zimbabwe

(Studia Chemia, 2016) Patrut, Adrian ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Ratiu, Ileana ; Forizs, Edit ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Margineanu, Dragos ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article reports the radiocarbon investigation results of the Humani Bedford baobab, an old African baobab from Savé Valley, Zimbabwe. Two wood samples were collected from the large inner cavity. Several segments were extracted from these samples and analysed by AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating. We found that the age values of segments increase with the distance into the wood. This major anomaly is characteristic to multi-stemmed baobabs with a closed ring-shaped structure and a false cavity inside. The investigation of the Humani Bedford baobab evinced that the baobab consists of three fused stems. The fourth stem of the ring is missing. The oldest dated segment was found to have a radiocarbon date of 1655 ± 14 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 1575 ± 30 yr. The dating results show that the stems which build the ring stopped growing toward the false cavity more than 600 yr ago. By considering the position of the oldest segment in the investigated stem, we concluded that the Humani Bedford baobab is around 1800 yr old. According to our dating results, the Humani Bedford baobab becomes the oldest living African baobab.
Radiocarbon dating of a very large African baobab from Limpopo, South Africa : investigation of the Sagole Big Tree

(Studia Chemia, 2017) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Van Pelt, Robert ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Forizs, Edit ; Bodis, Jeno ; Margineanu, Dragos ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating results of Sagole Big tree, a giant African baobab from Limpopo, South Africa. Several wood samples were collected from the walls of its inner cavity and dated by radiocarbon. The age values along the cavity samples increase with the distance into the wood. This anomaly shows that the cavity is a false one. The oldest sample segment had a radiocarbon date of 781 ± 29 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 740 ± 15 yr. We estimate that the oldest part of the Sagole baobab has an age of 800-900 yr. We determined that the tree has a closed ring-shaped structure, which consists of a large unit with six fused stems and of two additional leaning stems.
Radiocarbon dating of the historic Livingstone Tree at Chiramba, Mozambique

(Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, 2020) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Slater, Michael J. ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating results of the Livingstone Tree, a large African baobab on the right bank of the Zambezi, near Chiramba, Mozambique. In 1858, David Livingstone, who discovered the baobab, carved his monogram on the walls of its inner cavity. In 1996, the historic baobab was uprooted when a cyclone struck the area. Several wood fragments were extracted from the remains of the toppled tree. Five samples which originate from these fragments were subsequently dated by radiocarbon. The oldest sample had a radiocarbon date of 1598 ± 17 BP, that corresponded in 1996 to a calibrated age of 1490 ± 35 calendar years. According to this value, the Livingstone Tree at Chiramba becomes one of the oldest known African baobabs, with an age of over 1500 years. The Livingstone Tree had a closed ring-shaped structure, that consisted of 4 fused stems around a false cavity and also 2 additional stems outside the ring.
Searching for the oldest baobab of Madagascar : radiocarbon investigation of large Adansonia rubrostipa trees

(Public Library of Science, 2015-03-25) Patrut, Adrian ; von Reden, Karl F. ; Danthu, Pascal ; Pock-Tsy, Jean-Michel Leong ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Lowy, Daniel A.

We extended our research on the architecture, growth and age of trees belonging to the genus Adansonia, by starting to investigate large individuals of the most widespread Malagasy species. Our research also intends to identify the oldest baobabs of Madagascar. Here we present results of the radiocarbon investigation of the two most representative Adansonia rubrostipa (fony baobab) specimens, which are located in south-western Madagascar, in the Tsimanampetsotse National Park. We found that the fony baobab called “Grandmother” consists of 3 perfectly fused stems of different ages. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was found to be 1136 ± 16 BP. We estimated that the oldest part of this tree, which is mainly hollow, has an age close to 1,600 yr. This value is comparable to the age of the oldest Adansonia digitata (African baobab) specimens. By its age, the Grandmother is a major candidate for the oldest baobab of Madagascar. The second investigated specimen, called the “polygamous baobab”, consists of 6 partially fused stems of different ages. According to dating results, this fony baobab is 1,000 yr old. This research is the first investigation of the structure and age of Malagasy baobabs.
Radiocarbon dating of the old ash of Aiton, Romania

(Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, 2018) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Ratiu, Ileana ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Bodis, Jeno ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon investigation results of the old common ash of Aiton. Five wood samples were collected from the trunk of the tree. The deepest ends of the samples were analysed by AMS radiocarbon. We found radiocarbon dates between 165 ± 20 BP and 240 ± 18 BP, which correspond to calibrated ages of 230 – 360 years. These results, combined with a ring counting estimate, indicate an age of 330 ± 30 years for the ash of Aiton. By this value, the ash of Aiton becomes the oldest known common ash with accurate dating results.
Age and growth rate dynamics of an old African baobab determined by radiocarbon dating

(Dept. of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 2010-08) Patrut, Adrian ; Mayne, Diana H. ; von Reden, Karl F. ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Venter, Sarah ; McNichol, Ann P. ; Roberts, Mark L. ; Margineanu, Dragos

In 2008, a large African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) from Makulu Makete, South Africa, split vertically into 2 sections, revealing a large enclosed cavity. Several wood samples collected from the cavity were processed and radiocarbon dated by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for determining the age and growth rate dynamics of the tree. The 14C date of the oldest sample was found to be of 1016 ± 22 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 1000 ± 15 yr. Thus, the Makulu Makete tree, which eventually collapsed to the ground and died, becomes the second oldest African baobab dated accurately to at least 1000 yr. The conventional growth rate of the trunk, estimated by the radial increase, declined gradually over its life cycle. However, the growth rate expressed more adequately by the cross-sectional area increase and by the volume increase accelerated up to the age of 650 yr and remained almost constant over the past 450 yr.
Comparative AMS radiocarbon dating of pretreated versus non-pretreated tropical wood samples

( 2009-10) Patrut, Adrian ; von Reden, Karl F. ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Mayne, Diana H. ; Elder, Kathryn L. ; Roberts, Mark L. ; McNichol, Ann P.

Several wood samples collected from Dorslandboom, a large African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) from Namibia, were investigated by AMS radiocarbon dating subsequent to pretreatment and, alternatively, without pretreatment. The comparative statistical evaluation of results showed that there were no significant differences between fraction modern values and radiocarbon dates of the samples analyzed after pretreatment and without pretreatment, respectively. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was 993 ± 20 BP. Dating results also revealed that Dorslandboom is a multi-generation tree, with several stems showing different ages.
African baobabs with false inner cavities : the radiocarbon investigation of the Lebombo Eco Trail Baobab

(Public Library of Science, 2015-01-26) Patrut, Adrian ; Woodborne, Stephan ; von Reden, Karl F. ; Hall, Grant ; Hofmeyr, Michele ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Patrut, Roxana T.

The article reports the radiocarbon investigation results of the Lebombo Eco Trail tree, a representative African baobab from Mozambique. Several wood samples collected from the large inner cavity and from the outer part of the tree were investigated by AMS radiocarbon dating. According to dating results, the age values of all samples increase from the sampling point with the distance into the wood. For samples collected from the cavity walls, the increase of age values with the distance into the wood (up to a point of maximum age) represents a major anomaly. The only realistic explanation for this anomaly is that such inner cavities are, in fact, natural empty spaces between several fused stems disposed in a ring-shaped structure. We named them false cavities. Several important differences between normal cavities and false cavities are presented. Eventually, we dated other African baobabs with false inner cavities. We found that this new architecture enables baobabs to reach large sizes and old ages. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was 1425 ± 24 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 1355 ± 15 yr. The dating results also show that the Lebombo baobab consists of five fused stems, with ages between 900 and 1400 years; these five stems build the complete ring. The ring and the false cavity closed 800–900 years ago. The results also indicate that the stems stopped growing toward the false cavity over the past 500 years.
Radiocarbon Investigation of the Historic African Baobabs of Omusati, Namibia

(MDPI, 2022-11-11) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Rakosy, Demetra ; Oliver, Willie ; Ratiu, Ileana A. ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; Shiimbi, Gebhardt ; Woodborne, Stephan ; von Reden, Karl F.

The Omusati region belongs to historic Ovamboland, an area of northern Namibia populated by tribes of the Ovambo group. Four very large African baobabs of Omusati played an important role in historic events of the area, such as the tribal wars and the Namibian War of Independence. The four historic baobabs are the Ombalantu baobab (8 stems; circumference 24.50 m), Okahao baobab (4+ stems; around 25 m), Amadhila baobab (12 stems; 25.35 m) and Sir Howard baobab (9 stems; 31.60 m). Two historic baobabs collapsed totally or partially. The stems of the Amadhila baobab toppled and died in 2021, while 3 stems of the Okahao baobab collapsed a long time ago, but are still alive. Our research aimed to determine the architecture and age of these baobabs. Three baobabs (Ombalantu, Amadhila, Sir Howard) exhibit a closed ring-shaped structure, with a false cavity inside. One baobab (Okahao) had an open ring-shaped structure, before its collapse. Several wood cores were extracted from the baobabs and investigated by radiocarbon dating. The dating results indicate ages of 770 ± 50 years for the Ombalantu baobab, 650 ± 50 years for the Okahao baobab, 1100 ± 50 years for the Amadhila baobab and 750 ± 50 years for the Sir Howard baobab.
AMS radiocarbon dating of large za baobabs (Adansonia za) of Madagascar

(Public Library of Science, 2016-01-13) Patrut, Adrian ; Patrut, Roxana T. ; Danthu, Pascal ; Pock-Tsy, Jean-Michel Leong ; Rakosy, Laszlo ; Lowy, Daniel A. ; von Reden, Karl F.

The article reports the radiocarbon investigation of Anzapalivoro, the largest za baobab (Adansonia za) specimen of Madagascar and of another za, namely the Big cistern baobab. Several wood samples collected from the large inner cavity and from the outer part/exterior of the tree were investigated by AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating. For samples collected from the cavity walls, the age values increase with the distance into the wood up to a point of maximum age, after which the values decrease toward the outer part. This anomaly of age sequences indicates that the inner cavity of Anzapalivoro is a false cavity, practically an empty space between several fused stems disposed in a ring-shaped structure. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was 780 ± 30 bp, which corresponds to a calibrated age of around 735 yr. Dating results indicate that Anzapalivoro has a closed ring-shaped structure, which consists of 5 fused stems that close a false cavity. The oldest part of the biggest za baobab has a calculated age of 900 years. We also disclose results of the investigation of a second za baobab, the Big cistern baobab, which was hollowed out for water storage. This specimen, which consists of 4 fused stems, was found to be around 260 years old.

Lowy Daniel A.

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