by Elias Lopez-Romero
In García Sanjuán, Scarre & Wheatley (eds) 2011
TEXT IN SPANISH & ENGLISH
Radiocarbon dating is one of the most widespread techniques of absolute dating in the field ofArchaeology. Its... more
Radiocarbon dating is one of the most widespread techniques of absolute dating in the field ofArchaeology. Its application to the study of European Prehistory has a very long tradition now, and the implementation of the AMS technique hasnotably increased its accuracy and has reduced a number of sampling conditionings. However, Radiocarbon methods alone cannot solve the whole range of archaeological questionsabout the
chronological setting of human activity in the past. In this context, this paper deals with the applicationof Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) to the analysis of megaliths. It will explore the research context of this technique, its general principles, and the perspectives and reality of its application to the Later Prehistoric monuments of the European Atlantic façade. As a general conclusion, OSL can be seen so far as a good complementary or – in cases where Radiocarbon is not possible – alternative dating technique with high potential. It
needs, nonetheless, to be further tested. For succeeding in such a goal the role of researchershas now to be active, incorporating the technique when possible into well-defined research protocols.
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