Recent developments in luminescence dating of Quaternary sediments

Luminescence dating is an important technique for providing chronological control for Quaternary sedimentary sequences. In this article recent developments in luminescence dating are described, together with the implications of these developments for the application of the various types of luminescence dating techniques now available. In particular, the development of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques has had a profound effect upon the field, enabling younger materials to be dated, increasing the diversity of depositional environments that can be dated, and allowing the development of novel methods of age determination. The most exciting developments are the ability to obtain luminescence ages for samples in the age range from 100 to 1000 years, and the ability to date individual sand grains from a sample.