A series of 14C determinations have been obtained on hair samples principally from Holocene contexts that have been variously pretreated to examine different means of removing potential contamination. SEM photomicrographs have documented hair surfaces before and after different pretreatments. Amino-acid composition, C/N ratios and [delta] 13C values have been obtained to biochemically characterize these samples and provide baseline data for future comparisons with less well-preserved samples. Our data support the view that appropriately pretreated hair samples can provide accurate 14C age determinations.