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Luminescence dating of brick stupas: an application to the hinterland of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Ian K. Bailiff ,
Harriet R. Lacey ,
Robin A.E. Coningham ,
Prishanta Gunawardhana ,
Gamini Adikari ,
Chris E. Davis ,
Mark J. Manuel  and
Keir M. Strickland
Ian K. Bailiff
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK (Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected])
Harriet R. Lacey
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK (Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected])
Robin A.E. Coningham
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK (Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected])
Prishanta Gunawardhana
Affiliation:
2Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya 11600, Sri Lanka (Email: [email protected])
Gamini Adikari
Affiliation:
3Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya 11600, Sri Lanka (Email: [email protected])
Chris E. Davis
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK (Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected])
Mark J. Manuel
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK (Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected])
Keir M. Strickland
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK (Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected])
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Abstract

The domed stupas are among the most distinctive of South Asia's religious monuments and have been shown to be sensitive indicators for their society. Since arguments for economic and political change depend on accurate dating, and since the stupas are largely composed of brick, the authors here assess the potential for dating building sequences by applying optically stimulated luminescence to brick fabric. As so often, good scientific dates obtained from specimens must be tempered by their context: brick may be replaced or recycled during repair and embellishment. Nevertheless, the method promises important insights by distinguishing different episodes of building, and so writing ‘biographies’ for stupas with different functions.

Keywords

Sri LankaAnuradhapuraBuddhismstupasOSLhinterland
Type
Research Article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 87 , Issue 335 , March 2013 , pp. 189 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2013

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