TH U DATING OF SNAKE CAVE (THAILAND) SPEL EOTHEMS/

Snake Cave, which is located in Northeastern Thailand has been intensi vely excavated during the last few years. Excavations led to the recov ery of human remains associated to 31 species of large mammals and to over 30 species of small mammals. It represents therefore a reference site for the history of biodiversity in Southeast Asia. Using the Th/U dating method we succeeded in age-dating two carbonated levels sample d in the cave. Because most speleothem samples consist of a mixture of calcite and detrital contamination we used the isochron technic appro ach to yield valuable ages. The calcitic level sampled in the deep par t of the the cave is of particular interest because it contains fossil teeth embedded in a calcitic matrix. Successful dating of this level indicates a lower age limit of 130 ky for the associated fossiliferous level. (C) Academie des sciences/Elsevier, Paris.