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Luminescence Dating Protocols and Dating Range

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Luminescence Dating in Archaeology, Anthropology, and Geoarchaeology

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Earth System Sciences ((BRIEFSEARTHSYST))

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Abstract

Half a century after the publication of the first Thermoluminescence (TL) ages, the field of Luminescence Dating has reached a level of maturity. Both research and applications from all fields of archaeological science, from archaeological materials to anthropology and geoarchaeology, now routinely employ luminescence dating. The advent of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques and the potential for exploring a spectrum from mono-minerallic single grains to polymineral multi-aliquots enhanced the applicability, accuracy and the precision of luminescence dating. The present contribution reviews the physical basis, mechanisms and methodological aspects of luminescence dating; discusses advances in instrumentations and facilities, improvements in analytical procedures, and statistical treatment of data along with some examples of applications across continents. The case studies review the dating of heated and solar bleached archaeological material (artefacts, sediments, rocks, rock art and buildings) that cover all periods from Middle Palaeolithic to Medieval Eras and both Old and New World archaeology. They also include interdisciplinary applications that contribute to palaeo-landscape reconstruction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Archaeometry, Dept. of Mediterranean Studies, University of the Aegean, Demokratias Street 1, 85100, Rhodes, Greece

    Ioannis Liritzis

  2. Planetary and Geosciences Division, Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, India

    Ashok Kumar Singhvi

  3. Luminescence Dating Laboratory, University of Washington, Raitt Hall Room 206, Seattle, WA, 98195-3412, USA

    James K. Feathers

  4. Heidelberger Lumineszenzlabor, Geographisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 348, Heidelberg, 69121, Germany

    Gunther A. Wagner & Annette Kadereit

  5. Department of History, Archaeology and Cultural Resources Management, University of Peloponnese, Kalamata, Old City Center, Greece

    Nikolaos Zacharias

  6. Department of Earth Sciences, The Hong Kong University, Pokfulam Road, James Lee Building, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China

    Sheng-Hua Li

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  1. Ioannis Liritzis
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  2. Ashok Kumar Singhvi
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  3. James K. Feathers
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  4. Gunther A. Wagner
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  5. Annette Kadereit
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  6. Nikolaos Zacharias
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  7. Sheng-Hua Li
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Correspondence to Ioannis Liritzis .

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Liritzis, I. et al. (2013). Luminescence Dating Protocols and Dating Range. In: Luminescence Dating in Archaeology, Anthropology, and Geoarchaeology. SpringerBriefs in Earth System Sciences. Springer, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00170-8_2

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