Luminescence dating of deltaic deposits from eastern Crete, Greece: Geoarchaeological implications

Within the framework of an ongoing geoarchaeological project undertaken in the area of Istron, Gulf of Mirabello, eastern Crete, sediment dating using optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) was employed to provide information on the landscape evolution of the area. In addition to detailed field-survey, geophysical prospection, and archaeological excavations, drilling of five boreholes provided undisturbed and light protected sediments to depths up to 12 m below sea level. OSL dating using blue-light stimulation was undertaken on pure quartz grain samples from two cores. In addition, chemical and spectrometric studies on selected deltaic deposits are enlightening for paleoenvironmental differentiations that prevailed at neighboring sites. The reported ages, with a span of 770 to ca. 15,000 a, along with the results of field work and chemical analysis provide insight for landscape evolution, influenced mainly by environmental changes at an area occupied by the man since Neolithic onwards.