THERMOLUMINESCENCE DATING Meaning and
Definition
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Thermoluminescence dating is a scientific technique used to determine the age of artifacts and archaeological remains based on the principle of thermoluminescence. It is primarily applied to materials and objects containing crystalline minerals, such as pottery, bricks, or ceramics, that were exposed to high temperatures in the past.
The process of thermoluminescence dating involves the measurement of the accumulated radiation dose received by the materials since their last heating event or firing. When these objects were subjected to high temperatures, electrons within their crystal lattice became excited and trapped in electron traps or impurity centers. Over time, natural radiation from the environment, such as cosmic rays, gradually ionizes the crystal lattice, releasing the trapped electrons and resulting in the emission of light called thermoluminescence.
By heating the sample in a controlled laboratory setting, the thermoluminescence emitted can be measured and compared to a calibration curve. This curve represents the relationship between the amount of light emitted and the radiation dose received, enabling archaeologists and scientists to determine the approximate age of the sample.
Thermoluminescence dating can be especially useful for determining the age of objects that lack organic material or are beyond the range of radiocarbon dating. It has been successfully applied to date items from ancient civilizations, pottery shards, and geological materials. This technique provides invaluable information for archaeological research, helping to establish timelines, understand human migration patterns, and shed light on the development of ancient civilizations.
Common Misspellings for THERMOLUMINESCENCE DATING
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Etymology of THERMOLUMINESCENCE DATING
The word "thermoluminescence" is derived from the combination of three Greek roots: "thermo" meaning heat, "lumin" meaning light, and "escence" meaning emission.
The etymology of "thermo" can be traced back to the Greek word "thermē", meaning heat or warmth. Similarly, "lumin" can be traced back to the Latin word "lumen", meaning light. Lastly, "escence" is derived from the Latin verb "escere", meaning to become or to be.
The term "dating" in "thermoluminescence dating" refers to the process of determining the age of an object or material based on scientific methods, measurements, and techniques.
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