Isochron methods for luminescence dating in archaeology
This work aims to contribute to the solution of a problem relevant to archaeology and microdosimetry, namely the TL dating of destratified archaeological ceramics. It is apparent that museums hold a large body of archaeological material excavated from important sites during the early part of this century. Absolute dating of this corpus of material would be extremely valuable to archaeology in allowing historic hypotheses to be tested. The background to this problem has been presented within the context of the historical development of thermoluminescence dating and of dosimetry concepts. A critical review of previously proposed strategies for dating material from unknown gamma contexts is presented, and then a general model using an isochron approach is introduced. The isochron model is then developed explicitly and theoretical simulation is used to explore different microdosimetric systems. Two main isochron solutions have been identified, the grain size (or alpha-beta attenuation) and alpha efficiency isochrons. An experimental approach was designed, to evaluate the validity of the grain size isochron predictions, using model matrices. Isochron behaviour was clearly observed in both cases. The first system,
Clark, Peter Alan
CC Archaeology
Isochron methods for luminescence dating in archaeology. This work aims to contribute to the solution of a problem relevant to archaeology and microdosimetry, namely the TL dating of destratified archaeological ceramics. It is apparent that museums hold a large body of archaeological material excavated from important sites during the early part of this century. Absolute dating of this corpus of material would be extremely valuable to archaeology in allowing historic hypotheses to be tested. The background to this problem has been presented within the context of the historical development of thermoluminescence dating and of dosimetry concepts. A critical review of previously proposed strategies for dating material from unknown gamma contexts is presented, and then a general model using an isochron approach is introduced. The isochron model is then developed explicitly and theoretical simulation is used to explore different microdosimetric systems. Two main isochron solutions have been identified, the grain size (or alpha-beta attenuation) and alpha efficiency isochrons. An experimental approach was designed, to evaluate the validity of the grain size isochron predictions, using model matrices. Isochron behaviour was clearly observed in both cases. The first system,
method luminescence_date archaeology work aim_contribute solution_problem relevant archaeology namely date archaeological_ceramic apparent museum hold large_body archaeological_material excavate important site absolute_date corpus material would extremely valuable archaeology allow historic hypothesis_test background problem present within_context historical_development thermoluminescence date concept critical_review previously_propose strategy date material unknown context present general model use introduce model_develop explicitly theoretical simulation use explore different system two_main solution identify grain size efficiency experimental design evaluate validity grain size prediction use model matrix behaviour clearly observed case first system