Searching for precision of a new "luminescence clock" in dating calcitic rocks

The novel method of thermoluminescence (TL) dating of megalithic (cyclopean ) limestone monuments and/or marble statues will be briefly reviewed. The p roblems and recent examples to be discussed include: (a) the determination of the accumulated archaeological dose, Dar, (b) the sample homogeneity, (c ) the scattering in TL measurements, (d) the rate in solar bleaching of TL, and (e) dose-plateau inconsistencies. in retrospect. the solar bleaching o f TL in some marbles refers to at least 30 mm depth, the scattering of TL m easurements at best varies around +/- 10%, and the partial bleaching techni que should be prudently applied for Dar determination. The extension of thi s method to date (by TL or OSL) for other rock types is discussed.