Luminescence dating and archaeology of Holocene fluvio-lacustrine sediments of Abu Tartur, Eastern Sahara

Endorheic basins, filled by a rhythmic stratification of fluvio-lacustrine sediments, are useful archives for studying the interaction of palaeoenvironment and prehistoric development. Archaeological evidence indicates an occupational maximum during the Early to Mid-Holocene humid phase that can be linked to geochronological dates. A wadi has cut these sediments and a wadi profile of about 6 m was sampled for luminescence dating.Palaeodose estimates are based on single aliquot measurements of the sand-sized quartz fraction using the regenerative dose technique. The comparison of equivalent dose results from different aliquot sizes (<100 and >1000 grains) provides interesting insights into heterogeneous degrees of bleaching. Problems arising from substantial variations in environmental dose rates of such heterogeneous sediments are discussed.The luminescence ages indicate two major phases of deposition, both of Holocene age. The lower 2 m of sediments were deposited about 9400 years ago. The sedimentation of the upper 2 m started about 7200 and terminated around 6300 years ago. Radiocarbon ages of charcoals contained in the upper part of the section disagree with that OSL dating. This discrepancy is explained by re-deposition of the charcoal fragments.