Assessment of the lower ESR dating range in Greek speleothems

Pilot ESR dating studies on geologically young calcitic sinters were carrie d out, aiming at assessment of the lower ESR dating range in characteristic Greek speleoenvironments, Five stalactites were dated, coming from an anci ent mining gallery, idle for the last 2,500 years, found on Siphnos island (Aegean). The calculated ages range between 1,7-2,0 ka. Medium to low measu red external dose rates (aprox. 900 mu Gy/a) acid very low measured radioel ement concentration in samples are very usual in the Mediterranean environm ents. The study concludes that ESR dating of speleothems younger than two m illennia is practically unattainable. Some geoarchaeological implications o f the obtained ages are discussed.