Research: Landscape Dynamics
Oxford Luminescence Dating Laboratory
The School of Geography and the Environment, in association with the RLAHA Luminescence Dating Laboratory, Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, houses a state of the art luminescence dating facility: the Oxford Luminescence Dating Laboratory (OLD).
Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating has emerged within the last 20 years as a key Quaternary absolute dating tool, with a wide range of terrestrial and marine applications. Originating from earlier developments in thermoluminescence (TL) dating, optical techniques employ ubiquitous quartz or feldspar grains to directly date deposited sedimentary units. As such, the optical dating methods allow the systematic chronological evaluation of Quaternary-age sedimentary sequences.
Within the School of Geography and the Environment, the OLD Laboratory provides support particularly for the Landscape Dynamics research cluster, with a specific focus on low latitude environments / climate change, geoarchaeology and geomorphology. However, there is also a focus on the fundamental physical mechanisms underlying the dating methods.
The OLD Laboratory also provides a commercial luminescence dating service and works closely with clients in industry, archaeological organizations, environmental institutes and other academic groups.
Contact Us
- Dr Richard Bailey (OLD Laboratory Manager)
- Dr Jean-Luc Schwenninger (RLAHA)
Oxford Luminescence Dating Laboratory
School of Geography and the Environment
University of Oxford
OUCE / Dyson Perrins Building
South Parks Road
Oxford, OX1 3QY