Anthropology 2229F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Thermoluminescence, Quartzite, Irradiation
Document Summary
Lecture 16 thermoluminescence: trapped electron technique, have energy in the form of electrons that have become trapped in a material (usually quartz or quartzite materials) Have crystalline structure which can release energy by slowly heating the object; as heated it gives off light. The more energy released, more light is given off. Radioactive material has an effect, e. g. k-40, ur-238, th-232 naturally occur in crystalline structure: amount of energy trapped is affected by . Giving off of energy particles is called irradiation by naturally occurring radioactive materials. Energy trapped is directly linked to irradiation. The more it is exposed to radiation, the more it builds up and irradiates: problems/requirements: Dosimeter placed in the site for a few years to see the natural radioactivity of the surrounding matrix, important to control for. Measuring the last time the object was heated, not the actual age. Need objects that contain quartz or other crystalline minerals. Need to be heated by human activities.