LUMINESCENCE DATING OF A MIDDLE LATE HOLOCENE LOWER SHOREFACE, SW SARDINIA (ITALY)

Abstract

Geochronological framework of Middle-Late Holocene coastal succession are usually based on radiocarbon dating method. Homolithic sandy bodies characterize lower shoreface deposits and shells are often the only readily available biogenic materials for radiocarbon dating. However, multiple processes of erosion and deposition frequently affect sediment-grains and biological materials. As a consequence, 14C dating performed on shells often may under or overestimate the true age of the hosting deposits. This study highlights that luminescence dating is better suited to investigate sedimentary body formed in high energetic environments because directly dates the age of the final burial event. Moreover, combining the quartz and k-feldspar derived ages a more robust dataset and internal independent age controls can be provided.