ESR dating of pottery: a trial

An attempt of electron spin resonance (ESR) dating of pottery is described using natural radiation defects in quartz grains. Fragments of a neolithic ‘Trichterbecher’, previously dated by thermoluminescence (TL), were used. Although various radiation induced centres were identified, only the aluminium centre was useful for dating. The annual dose rate was calculated for a grain distribution from 0.1 to 1 mm, using external as well as internal components. The TL and ESR ages of (4720 ± 300)a and (4976 ± 800)a [(4589 ± 900)a], respectively, are in agreement; however, the uncertainty range in case of the ESR experiment is much larger.