Next-generation luminescence dating techniques for Earth and archaeological science applications

年代学是地质和考古研究的重要组成部分。为了在环境背景下重建智人和其他人类物种的进化史，我们必须对重要的考古遗址和第四纪沉积物建立可靠的年龄估计。本项目旨在利用钾长石的不褪色红外激发发光（IRSL）信号开发新一代沉积物测年技术。这些改进的方法将能够应用于非洲、欧洲和亚洲含有重要人类化石和人工制品的遗址，包括“丹尼索瓦人”和“霍比特人”的独特类型地点，以回答有关人类进化和扩散关键转折点时间的基本问题。

Chronology is a critical component of geological and archaeological studies. To reconstruct the evolutionary histories of Homo sapiens and other hominin species in their environmental context, we must establish reliable age estimates for key archaeological sites and Quaternary deposits. This project aims to develop new-generation sediment dating techniques using the non-fading infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signal from potassium feldspars. These improved methods will be able to be applied to sites in Africa, Europe and Asia that contain important human fossils and artefacts, including the unique type localities of ‘Denisovans’ and ‘Hobbits’, to answer fundamental questions about the timing of key turning points in human evolution and dispersal.