Thermoluminescence (TL) and OSL Dating | GB'S PARIS

Thermoluminescence (TL) and OSL Dating

Scientific dating for authenticating ancient ceramics and buried objects

Thermoluminescence (TL) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) are among the most reliable scientific methods for establishing the authentic age of ceramics and terracotta.

At GB'S PARIS, Guillaume Bresso incorporates these techniques within a broader interdisciplinary approach, always in collaboration with accredited external laboratories.

Principles and Techniques

Thermoluminescence (TL) measures the last significant heating event of a ceramic, whether its original firing or a subsequent ritual use.

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) determines the last exposure to daylight of mineral grains, particularly useful for objects recovered from archaeological contexts.

These methods are especially effective for African terracotta traditions (Nok, Ife, Djenné-Djenno, Akan) and Oceanic ceramics.

Applications to African and Oceanic Art

A recent expertise on a Fang terracotta from Gabon, combining TL dating with anthracological analysis, confirmed the object's antiquity and its consistency with documented ritual practices.

These scientific tools provide an essential complement to traditional stylistic and iconographic analysis, helping resolve ambiguities where visual examination alone is insufficient.

Our Interdisciplinary Approach

TL and OSL dating do not replace connoisseurship — they strengthen it. At GB'S PARIS, we believe the most reliable expertise arises when scientific data, material observation, and cultural context are considered together.

Need advanced scientific expertise?

Guillaume Bresso integrates thermoluminescence, OSL, and complementary methods for thorough and reliable authentication.

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