LAUSR

Abstract In this study, calcium sulfates of three hydration levels (dihydrate, hemihydrate and anhydrous) are investigated regarding their capability to be used as luminescence chronometers. The samples -of both mineral and commercial origin- are studied by means of luminescence dose response protocols, regarding their linearity and lowest detectable dose limits. The thermoluminescence (TL) and optical/infrared stimulated luminescence (OSL and IRSL, respectively) signals are also examined regarding their optimum data and background manipulation. Furthermore, the applied dose recovery test to the luminescence signals verifies the ability of OSL to measure precisely equivalent doses; for the IRSL underestimation by 15–20% requires appropriate correction. By means of the calculated lowest detectable dose limits and the gamma spectroscopy applied to the samples, lowest age limit assessment revealed that ages of around 1000 years or older could be safely estimated. Finally, further characterization to one of the mineral dihydrate samples, showed the additional presence of Cu-deposits, which explain its green color, without affecting its luminescence properties.