luminescence dating

Luminescence dating is a method used to determine how long ago mineral grains, like quartz or feldspar, were last exposed to sunlight or heat. When these minerals are buried, they slowly accumulate signals generated by natural radiation from surrounding rocks and soil. By measuring this stored energy in a laboratory, scientists can estimate the time elapsed since the minerals were last exposed to light or heat, effectively dating the time of burial or last disturbance. This technique is valuable for studying geological formations, archaeological artifacts, and sediment layers, providing insight into Earth's history and human activity.