THERMOLUMINESCENCE DATING OF BURNT FLINT AND QUARTZ: COMPARATIVE RESULTS

Abstract

Thermoluminescence dates obtained from burnt flints and quartz recovered from the same sites are compared. For the Upper Perigordian level at la Vigne Brun (Loire, France), four quartz specimens and three flints yielded average ages of 27 400 ± 2300 and 26 900 ± 2200 years respectively, which are 15% greater than the radiocarbon age obtained for the same site (Evin 1982). For the neolithic site of la Vallée aux Fleurs (Loir et Cher, France), the respective averages of three flints and three ceramic sherds were 6830 ± 560 and 6570 ± 520 years.