Assigned Session: FS 3.225: Novel techniques and methodologies in Mountain Archaeology
OSL rock surface dating in Mountain archaeology – principles, applications and frontiers
Abstract ID: 3.14342 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA
Michael Meyer (0)
Martin, Loic, Pitblado, Bonnie (1), Merriman, Chris (2), Schaffer, Sarah, Spitaller, Benjamin, Frachetti, Michael (3)
Michael Meyer ((0) Universität Innsbruck, CI IN052 Hauptgebaude, 6020, Innsbruck, Tirol, AT)
Martin, Loic, Pitblado, Bonnie (1), Merriman, Chris (2), Schaffer, Sarah, Spitaller, Benjamin, Frachetti, Michael (3)
(0) Universität Innsbruck, CI IN052 Hauptgebaude, 6020, Innsbruck, Tirol, AT
(1) University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey St., Oklahoma, USA
(2) Adams State University, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa, Colorado, USA
(3) Washington University, St. Louis, CB 1114 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, Missouri, USA
(1) University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey St., Oklahoma, USA
(2) Adams State University, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa, Colorado, USA
(3) Washington University, St. Louis, CB 1114 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, Missouri, USA
(2) Adams State University, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa, Colorado, USA
(3) Washington University, St. Louis, CB 1114 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, Missouri, USA
OSL rock surface burial and exposure dating are novel tools in Quaternary geochronology, enabling the determination of burial and/or exposure durations of previously light-exposed rock surfaces. Collectively, these methods are referred to as OSL rock surface dating, building on and extending the well-known optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating technique originally developed for sediment burial dating. OSL rock surface dating relies on the remnant luminescence signal stored in the uppermost millimeters to centimeters of a rock surface, offering new possibilities for dating previously undatable archaeological sites and materials. In this presentation, we highlight recent advancements in rock surface dating and explore its application potential in various archaeological contexts of mountain regions. Case studies include lithic surface scatter sites in the Colorado Highlands and the Tibetan Plateau, as well as megalithic structures in the foothills of the Tien Shan. Additionally, we outline the potential of an OSL rock surface dating approach for petroglyphs (rock engravings) using an EMCCD camera setup. Mountain environments, particularly high-altitude settings, are dominated by erosion and rarely preserve deeply stratified archaeological sites. Instead, they are often characterized by lithic surface scatter and, in some cases, petroglyphs. Therefore, OSL rock surface dating of open-air lithic scatter sites and petroglyphs has the potential to become a valuable geochronological tool in mountain archaeology.
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