Luminescence dating, including thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), allows for the dating of materials that have been heated or exposed to natural light.
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Luminescence dating is a dating method based on measuring the energy accumulated in quartz or feldspar crystals present in certain materials. This energy comes from natural exposure to environmental radioactivity and is released upon exposure to heat (TL) or light (OSL). It allows us to determine the last "zeroing event" experienced by the material:
This method allows materials to be dated over periods of up to 700,000 years, depending on the type of sediment and preservation conditions. CIRAM rigorously adapts its protocols according to the context (museum or excavation), the type of object, and the method chosen (TL test, TL dating, or OSL).
Contact our teamsThe quality of a thermoluminescence TL or OSL datingrests on three pillars:
CIRAMis today the only private laboratory in Europe to offer TL/OSL datingcomparable to the protocols of public research centers.
Request a quoteThe archaeological dose, or equivalent dose, corresponds to the energy accumulated since the last heating or insolation. This measurement is carried out in our laboratories using the LexsygSmart system, after rigorous sample treatment.
To obtain absolute dating, it is necessary to know not only the equivalent dose but also the annual dose rate received by the object. This dose comes from three sources: the object itself (auto-irradiation), its environment (up to 1 meter), and cosmic radiation.
CIRAM combines complementary methods with TL/OSL dating, depending on the case:
Thanks to its scientific expertise and rigorous protocols, CIRAM stands out as a benchmark in radiocarbon dating, but also in luminescence dating. And for good reason, CIRAM is one of the few private laboratories to offer a complete range of TL and OSL dating services, with protocols as rigorous as those used in public laboratories.
Our expertise lies in two main areas:
The TL test is a preliminary examination to assess whether a sample is old or not. TL dating, on the other hand, involves in-depth analysis with a rigorous protocol, including the precise calculation of archaeological dose and annual dose to provide a reliable absolute age.
Accuracy depends on the context and condition of the sample. In general, it varies between 5 and 10% of the estimated age.
TL is used to date heated ceramics, terracotta, porcelain and minerals. OSL is used for sediments and minerals exposed to light.
A TL test takes a maximum of 2 weeks, whereas TL or OSL dating takes 4 to 6 months. Turnaround times may vary according to the type of sample, the complexity of the analysis and the volume of requests.
The cost of TL/OSL dating depends on the nature of the sample, the complexity of the analysis and the number of samples to be analyzed. Please contact us for a personalized quotation.
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