In the CLAMS Labs chemical treatments for the preparation of samples to be dated by AMS are carried out. The chemical treatments are quite complex and last 2-3 weeks at least. They are need for:

1. Remove the selected part of the sample from contaminations that could invalidate the dating results,
2. Extract the carbon dioxide from the sample before the introduction into the accelerator source.

CLAMS laboratory allows the preparation of wood, bones, hair, plants, sediments, seeds, peat and other materials.

Although the initial steps for sample preparation are the same for all the materials (observation by optical microscope, mechanical elimination of the surface contamination, ...), the chemical procedure depends on the materials, the diagenesis and from the conservation status of the sample.