ESR DATING OF POTTERY - A TRIAL

An attempt of electron spin resonance (ESR) dating of pottery is descr ibed using natural radiation defects in quartz grains. Fragments of a neolithic 'Trichterbecher', previously dated by thermoluminescence (TL ), were used. Although various radiation induced centres were identifi ed, only the aluminium centre was useful for dating. The annual dose r ate was calculated for a grain distribution from 0.1 to 1 mm, using ex ternal as well as internal components. The TL and ESR ages of (4720 +/ - 300)a and (4976 +/- 800)a [(4589 +/- 900)a], respectively, are in ag reement; however, the uncertainty range in case of the ESR experiment is much larger. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.