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The Interpretation and Dating of Humanly Worked Siliceous Materials by Thermoluminescent Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2014

Ralph M. Rowlett
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65201; Department of Anthropology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010; Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Margaret D. Mandeville
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65201; Department of Anthropology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010; Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Edward J. Zeller
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65201; Department of Anthropology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010; Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66044

Abstract

Thermoluminescence analysis can reveal when archaeological lithics especially siliceous stones such as flint, chert and the like have been subjected to heat treatment prior to chipping. This determination can serve as the first step in the dating of these stones, as well as stones exposed otherwise to heating, utilizing the same principles as for the thermoluminescent dating of pottery. The oldest known example of heat treatment verified by this method comes from the Solutrian industry of south-western France (ca. 15000 bc).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 1974

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References

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