Thermoluminescence can be used to date materials containing crystalline minerals to a specific heating event. This is useful for ceramics, as it determines the date of firing, as well as for lava, or even sediments that were exposed to substantial sunlight.

How far back can thermoluminescence dating?

Its a very popular dating method in archaeology because not only can it date pottery, the type of material we find the most when excavating, but it can also date further back than 50,000 years unlike radiocarbon dating. That, and it much cheaper in comparison to other dating methods.

Is thermoluminescence dating absolute?

Absolute dating is the process of determining an age on a specified chronology in archaeology and geology. Absolute dating techniques include radiocarbon dating of wood or bones, potassium-argon dating, and trapped-charge dating methods such as thermoluminescence dating of glazed ceramics.

What is thermoluminescence dating in archaeology?

Thermoluminescence (TL) dating is an archaeometric discipline which offers the scientist a suitable tool for the correct determination of the age of ceramic artefacts. Although this dating technique is well established, it is not commonly known among archaeologists throughout the world.

What is an example of thermoluminescence?

Material and objects of archaeological or historical interest that can be dated by thermoluminescence analysis are ceramics, brick, hearths, fire pits, kiln and smelter walls, heat treated flint or other heat-processed materials, the residues of industrial activity such as slag, incidentally fire-cracked rocks, and