Testing the potential of elevated temperature post-IR IRSL signals for dating Romanian loess

In this study we test the potential of the elevated temperature infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signals for dating Romanian loess. The recently developed post-IR IRSL protocol is applied to Romanian loess using polymineral fine grains extracted from the loess-palaeosol sequence at Mircea Vodă (SE Romania). This approach is aimed at obtaining an additional age control to examine the age discrepancy obtained from previous optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) studies using different grain-sizes of quartz (4–11 μm and 63–90 μm).Two preheat post-IR IR stimulation temperature combinations were used, 250–225 °C and 325–300 °C, respectively. The signals obtained are documented in terms of dose response curve, laboratory tests and fading. Although both post-IR IRSL signals exhibit small fading rates, dose response characteristics indicate that these rates may be laboratory artefacts. The post-IR IRSL signal stimulated at 300 °C is observed to suffer from dose dependent initial sensitivity changes as both natural and regenerated signals are observed to lie above the saturation level of the dose response curve. Uncorrected age results obtained using both post-IR IRSL signals are in general agreement with previously reported silt-sized quartz OSL ages for samples collected from the uppermost loess unit L1. For older material, the post-IR IRSL signal stimulated at 225 °C is considered to provide reliable age results, in agreement with independent age control available for this sequence.     

An analysis of the components of the luminescence signals of selected polymineral and quartz samples from loess in western China and southern Tajikistan,and their suitability for optical dating

Previous luminescence dating studies on loess from China and Tajikistan have focused on the establishment of the regional chronology of the loess sequences. In order to improve the precision and accuracy of optical ages derived from the loess of the last glacial period in these regions, we have examined the components of luminescence signals in three loess samples from western China and southern Tajikistan. Our results show that the polymineral IRSL and post-IR OSL, and quartz OSL signals from loess of the two regions are represented by three components, which display different bleaching and growth characteristics. While the composition of the polymineral IRSL signals is similar between samples with the same age from the two regions, in the case of quartz there is significant discrepancy in the proportion of the fast and medium components of the OSL signals. Greater difference is observed in the composition of the polymineral post-IR OSL signals for the loess from the two regions. The three components of polymineral IRSL signals yield almost identical equivalent dose values as that derived from the total IRSL signal. An apparent agreement in equivalent dose is observed between the fast component of the polymineral post-IR OSL and the quartz OSL for the loess of western China but not in the loess of the same age from southern Tajikistan. The fast component of the quartz OSL yields an equivalent dose 25% higher than that based on the total signal for the sample from the base of the Late Pleistocene loess in southern Tajikistan. This demonstrates the importance of signal selection for an accurate luminescence dating of Central Asian loess.     

Quartz and polymineral luminescence dating of Japanese loess over the last 0.6 Ma: Comparison with an independent chronology

There are only a few luminescence dating studies of loess sediments in Japan, but interleaved with these deposits are many well-described tephras of known age based on ¹⁴C and fission track analysis; these independent age controls provide an opportunity to test the reliability of loess luminescence ages. This study provides such a comparison at two sites in central Honshu, the largest island in the Japanese archipelago. Samples were collected from sequences of interleaved volcanic tephra and loess deposited on a Middle Pleistocene river terrace in the Niigata Prefecture and on an Early to Middle Pleistocene dissected fluvial surface at in the Tochigi Prefecture, Honshu. Equivalent doses (D_e) were estimated from fine grains (4–11 μm) using both polymineral IR-OSL and (post-IR) blue-OSL, and quartz blue-OSL. The blue-stimulated luminescence signals could be represented by up to three exponentially decaying components; only the most light sensitive of these components was used in the final D_e estimation. Almost all the estimates of D_e from polymineral IR-OSL are smaller than those from polymineral (post-IR) blue-OSL and quartz blue-OSL, whereas the latter two are in good agreement. The blue-light stimulated luminescence ages using the most light sensitive component are shown to be in good agreement with the independent control, up to 500 ka. Although the IR-OSL signals underestimate the known age, a simple laboratory fading test is found empirically to correct for this underestimation. We conclude that the most rapidly blue-stimulated luminescence signals from quartz extracted from our loess samples give reliable ages, and that future loess dating studies should concentrate on these signals.     

Optical dating of aeolian and fluvial sediments in north Tian Shan range,China: Luminescence characteristics and methodological aspects

Loess and fluvial sand are important materials for dating river terraces and alluvial fans. This study focuses on the methodological aspects of dating loess and fluvial deposits from the northern flank of the Tian Shan range, China, using sand-sized quartz and potassium (K) feldspar. Luminescence characteristics of quartz and K-feldspar were studied for searching suitable dating procedures. Our results indicate that 1) most quartz aliquots were contaminated by feldspar, and were dated using a post-infrared optically stimulated luminescence (post-IR OSL) procedure. A Fast ratio acceptance threshold of 15 can be applied to select these aliquots with post-IR OSL signals dominated by quartz OSL; 2) the multi-elevated-temperature post-IR IR stimulated luminescence (MET-pIRIR) procedures are applicable for K-feldspar. A test dose of ∼30% of the natural dose is appropriate for dating of older (>10 ka) samples. An Age (T, t) plateau test can be used to evaluate the dating results; 3) for the loess samples, both quartz and K-feldspar were well bleached and are suitable for dating. Dating using K-feldspar is preferred for its higher efficiency; 4) for the fluvial sand samples, only the quartz grains were fully bleached. Single-aliquot dating of quartz gives reliable ages.     

Luminescence dating of an Upper Pleistocene alluvial fan and aeolian sandsheet complex: The Senne in the Münsterland Embayment,NW Germany

An up to 15 m thick alluvial fan and aeolian sandsheet complex is exposed in the upper Senne area, on the southern slope of the Teutoburger Wald Mountains (NW Germany). The origin and age of these deposits have been controversially discussed for many years, ranging from Saalian glaciofluvial to periglacial Weichselian deposits. In order to provide a high-resolution chronological framework for the deposits, we conducted luminescence dating of 12 samples from two localities (Oerlinghausen and Augustdorf pits). Both coarse-grain potassium-rich feldspar and quartz minerals were used for luminescence dating. Feldspar was measured using an elevated temperature post-IR infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL). Quartz was measured using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) with a conventional single aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) protocol. Feldspar results tend to overestimate quartz ages for the lower part of the sections (alluvial plain and alluvial fan facies) but are consistent with quartz ages for the upper part of the sections (aeolian facies). Quartz ages from both central and minimum age models suggest deposition during the Late Pleistocene Pleniglacial to Late Glacial.     

Infrared stimulated luminescence and radiofluorescence dating of aeolian sediments from Hungary

Anomalous fading of the infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signal from the polymineral fine-grain and K-feldspar fractions of aeolian sediments from Hungary has been studied. The samples in this study have previously been dated using the multiple aliquot additive dose (MAAD) protocol to measure the IRSL signal. The IRSL measurements using MAAD were conducted ～4 weeks after the irradiation, making it difficult to assess to what extent these age estimates were affected by anomalous fading. In this study, equivalent doses were obtained using the single aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) protocol. The fading rate for each sample was calculated using the different IRSL components and different parts of the decay curve. For each sample, the middle part of the decay curve always showed a lower fading rate than the initial part of the decay curve. The difference between the fading rates for different parts of the decay curve was greater for the K-feldspars than for the polymineral fine grains. Fading corrected ages were calculated by integrating both the initial and the middle part of the decay curve. These ages were compared with optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages from quartz, infrared radiofluorescence (IR-RF) ages obtained from K-feldspars and also with independent ages, provided by radiocarbon dating of shells and charcoal, and uranium-series dating of travertine.     

Luminescence chronology of fossiliferous fluvial sediments along the middle Atbara River,Sudan

Fluvial sediments of the middle Atbara River Valley, eastern Sudan, contain abundant vertebrate fossils and stone tools. Previous work described two sedimentary units, the Butana Bridge Synthem (BBS) and the Khashm El Girba Synthem (KGS), with three divisions each (BBS1-3 and KGS1-3, from bottom to top, respectively). ²³⁰Th/U dating on bivalve shells suggested an age of ∼126 and ∼92 ka for the basal KGS2 and basal KGS3, respectively, and mammalian biochronology in combination with magnetostratigraphy suggested an age of late Early to early Middle Pleistocene for the underlying BBS. To establish a detailed chronology of this fluvial sedimentary sequence, we collected 17 luminescence samples from both sides of the Atbara River close to the Butana Bridge. Quartz OSL dating was applied to samples from the upper part of the profile (upper KGS2 and KGS3), but the signal reached saturation within the upper ∼10 m of the sequence. To select a suitable feldspar signal to date older samples beyond the limit of the quartz OSL, a comparison of the quartz OSL, feldspar post-IR IRSL at 225 and 290 °C, and pulsed IRSL signal at 50 °C was conducted for a sample from KGS3. The result showed that only the fading corrected pulsed IRSL yielded an age consistent with the quartz OSL, and the post-IR IRSL signals (both at 225 and 290 °C) overestimated the quartz age significantly. We therefore selected the pulsed IRSL signal to date the older deposits. The luminescence ages indicate that the entire BBS - KGS sequence was deposited between 224 ± 23 ka and <17 ± 1 ka, corresponding to marine isotope stages (MIS) 7–2, significantly revising previous conclusions.     

Chronology of an oyster reef on the coast of Bohai Bay, China: Constraints from optical dating using different luminescence signals from fine quartz and polymineral fine grains of coastal sediments

Fossil oyster reefs are indicators of past sea levels, and their formation is usually dated by means of radiocarbon. However, radiocarbon dating of the shells from coastal areas may be complicated by the varying sources of carbon. Here we applied optical dating methods to date the samples from above and below a fossil oyster bed in a section on the coast of Bohai Bay, China. The optical ages of the sediments were used to constrain the oyster bed. Single-aliquot regenerative-dose procedures using the OSL signal from fine grain quartz, the IRSL and post-IR OSL signals from polymineral fine grains were employed to determine equivalent dose (D_e). The behaviors of the different luminescence signals from quartz and polymineral grains during D_e measurements were examined. The results showed that the quartz OSL signal is more reliable than the polymineral IRSL and post-IR OSL signals with respect to dating for these coastal samples. The optical ages indicated that the oyster reef formed between ca. 6.2 and 5.0 ka.     

Optically stimulated luminescence dating of loess in South-Eastern China using quartz and polymineral fine grains

Loess deposits distributed in southeastern China play an important role for paleoclimate reconstruction of the subtropical regions. These loess-paleosol deposits are mainly spread within the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River as well as in the drainage area of the Huai River. The ages of loess paleosol sequences that are distributed along the Huai River are not well constrained. In this study, the standard single-aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) protocol and two elevated temperature post infrared-infrared stimulated luminescence SAR protocols (pIRIR₂₂₅ and pIRIR₂₉₀) were applied on 4–11 μm quartz and polymineral fine grains, respectively, in order to obtain the first numerical luminescence chronology for a loess-paleosol sequence in northern Jiangsu Province. Our results show a good agreement between quartz SAR-OSL and polymineral pIRIR ages up to ~70 ka. These findings confirm that Xiashu loess accumulated during the Last Glaciation. For samples older than this, the ages increasingly deviate with depth. Fine quartz ages beyond 70 ka are interpreted as underestimates, as previous studies reported that quartz ages >70 ka from various sedimentary origins worldwide may underestimate even if they pass rejection criteria and dose recovery tests. On the other hand, the pIRIR ages are most likely overestimating the true depositional ages as indicated by the results of dose recovery tests, where a 30–60% overestimation of the recovered dose is reported for values larger than ~400 Gy. The overestimation of pIRIR protocols was also confirmed by the results obtained when large beta doses were added on top of the natural accrued dose. Moreover, our dating results suggest that L1/S1 transition (corresponding to MIS 5/4 boundary) occurred much higher in the stratigraphic sequence than may have been interpreted from the magnetic susceptibility enhancement. This inconsistency can be assigned to invalidity of magnetic susceptibility as a chronostratigraphical proxy due to ferrimagnetic minerals dissolution or transformation during paedogenesis processes in this humid subtropical region in the southeastern China.     

Optical dating of Chinese loess using sand-sized quartz: Establishing a time frame for Late Pleistocene climate changes in the western part of the Chinese Loess Plateau

The Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) is of major interest to Quaternary geologists because it represents an important terrestrial archive of palaeoclimatic fluctuations. Previous multiple-aliquot luminescence dating studies of Chinese loess mainly used thermoluminescence (TL) and infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signals of polymineral fine-grains; these are known to be subject to anomalous fading and thus will tend to yield age underestimations. In this paper we investigate whether the blue-light stimulated luminescence (BLSL) signals from 63 to 90 μm quartz grains extracted from three western Chinese loess sites (Zhongjiacai, Le Du and Tuxiangdao) can be used to establish a reliable chronology. The single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) procedure is used for the equivalent dose (D_e) determinations and the suitability of our measurement protocol is confirmed by dose recovery tests. The influence of an IRSL signal on the quartz D_e measurements derived from BLSL has been investigated. From these results we conclude that an IRSL contamination, expressed as an IRSL/BLSL ratio, of up to 10% can be accepted before the values of D_e are significantly affected. All three sites yield stratigraphically consistent and spatially highly reproducible optical ages up to about 50–70 ka. At the Tuxiangdao site a marked hiatus in the record is identified between ∼20 and ∼30 ka; this remained undetected in previous studies and clearly highlights the importance of high-resolution optical dating in Chinese loess research. The optical ages presented in this work provide more evidence for episodic loess deposition and varying loess accumulation rates in the western part of the CLP. Our study seems to confirm the potential of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating using the SAR procedure applied to the very fine sandy quartz fraction in Chinese loess back to ∼40–50 ka (∼120–150 Gy).     

Maximum age limitation in luminescence dating of Chinese loess using the multiple-aliquot MET-pIRIR signals from K-feldspar

Numerical dating of loess is important for Quaternary studies. Recent progress in post-infrared infrared-stimulated luminescence (pIRIR) signals from potassium-rich feldspar has allowed successful dating of Chinese loess beyond the conventional dating limit based on quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signals. In this study we tested the multiple-aliquot regenerative-dose (MAR) pre-dose multiple-elevated-temperature post-IR IRSL (pMET-pIRIR) procedure on samples from the palaeosol S5 (∼480 ka) and S8 (∼780 ka) layers from the Luochuan and Jingbian sections, respectively. The results show that (1) compared to sensitivity-corrected signal (L_x/T_x), a higher saturation dose is observed for the sensitivity-uncorrected MET-pIRIR signals (L_x), suggesting that MAR is advantageous for dating old samples; (2) negligible fading component can be achieved using the pMET-pIRIR procedure; (3) for the sample from the top of palaeosol S5, D_e values (1360 + 226/-167 Gy) broadly consistent with expected D_e (1550 ± 72 Gy) can be obtained using the sensitivity-uncorrected 300 °C MET-pIRIR signal. Our study suggests that a D_e value of about 1800 Gy may be the maximum dating limit of Chinese loess using the MAR pMET-pIRIR procedure.     

Testing the use of range-finder OSL dating to inform field sampling and laboratory processing strategies

A newly developed range-finder luminescence dating method is applied to samples from the eastern Punjab region of Pakistan. Overbank sediments from this area are the subject of an ongoing project into the demise of the Harappan civilization about 4.2 ka and the range-finder technique was used to ascertain whether samples from three pits are from this part of the Holocene. Luminescence measurements of raw sample gave a signal dominated by feldspars, even when using a [post-IR] optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signal. Following etching in hydrofluoric acid samples gave OSL signals characteristic of quartz and these were used to calculate the equivalent dose. The total dose rate was estimated from beta counting. Eight range-finder OSL ages extend from 4000 to 6600 years ago and are consistent with two radiocarbon ages from the same pits demonstrating that these sediments do straddle the period of interest for this project. The range-finder approach provides a rapid means of informing future field sampling campaigns.     

Establishing a luminescence chronology for a palaeosol-loess profile at Tokaj (Hungary): A comparison of quartz OSL and polymineral IRSL signals

We present a comparative study of quartz OSL, polymineral IRSL at low temperature (50 °C, IR₅₀) and post-IR elevated temperature (290 °C) IRSL (pIRIR₂₉₀) feldspar dating on nine samples from the Tokaj loess section in NE Hungary (SE Europe). Preheat plateau tests show a drop in quartz OSL D_e between 160 and 240 °C but above 240 °C a clear D_e plateau is present. Quartz OSL SAR is shown to be generally appropriate to these samples (recycling, recuperation) but a satisfactory dose recovery result was only obtained when a dose was added to a sample without any prior optical or thermal pre-treatment; this gave a dose recovery ratio of 1.04 ± 0.05 after subtracting the natural dose from the measured dose. The pIRIR₂₉₀ SAR protocol also results in acceptable dose recovery results for the pIRIR₂₉₀ signal (1.08 ± 0.01) when a large dose is added to the natural dose. Bleaching experiments suggest a detectable non-bleachable residual pIRIR₂₉₀ dose of 10 ± 4 Gy. Agreement with quartz OSL ages is best achieved by correcting the IR₅₀ ages for fading; however this is not necessary when using the pIRIR₂₉₀ signal. With respect to Hungarian Late Quaternary geology our results indicate that the major part of the Tokaj loess has been deposited during MIS 3 (60–24 ka), with periods of soil formation occurring during the onset of MIS 3 (≥58 ka) and between about 35 and 25 ka. Our results also indicate episodic deposition of loess and varying, non-linear sedimentation rates during MIS 3. Proxy analyses in the literature are based on the traditional concept of continuous deposition; in the light of our new data the use of such simple assumptions must be reconsidered.     

Luminescence dating of old (>70 ka) Chinese loess: A comparison of single-aliquot OSL and IRSL techniques

The applicability of two different approaches in the luminescence dating of old (>70 ka) Chinese loess is investigated. Both SAR-OSL ages obtained on 63–90 μm quartz grains and SAR-IRSL ages obtained on 4–11 μm polymineral grains, for samples collected from two sites in the Chinese Loess Plateau (Luochuan and Dongchuan) are presented. The characteristics of the luminescence signals stimulated by blue and infrared light are investigated in terms of dose response and dose recovery, and as a function of age. Additionally, anomalous fading measurements from the 410 nm IRSL emission in polymineral fine-grains are reported. An average value of g_2days amounting to 3% per decade was measured and seems to be independent of site location and age. For the samples from Luochuan, independent age control (pedostratigraphy and palaeomagnetism) is available. At both sites, the SAR-OSL ages are always lower than the SAR-IRSL ages after they have been corrected for anomalous fading. It seems that the quartz-based SAR-OSL ages are accurate for the younger ages, but that they underestimate the true age of deposition for loess that was deposited about 60–70 ka ago. The fading-corrected SAR-IRSL ages are in better agreement with the pedostratigraphic age control (75 and 130 ka) and allow dating beyond the quartz OSL range. Based on our results, we suggest that conventional SAR-OSL and SAR-IRSL protocols at these sites should be restricted to samples of ages not exceeding 40–50  and 100–120 ka, respectively.     

High resolution OSL and post-IR IRSL dating of the last interglacial–glacial cycle at the Sanbahuo loess site (northeastern China)

Northeastern China is located in the East Asian monsoon region; it is sensitive to both high and low latitude global climate systems. Loess deposits in the region have considerable potential as sensitive archives of past climate changes. However, research into loess deposition and climate change in this region is restricted by the lack of independent age control. In this study, coarse-grained quartz SAR OSL and K-feldspar post-IR infrared (IR) stimulated luminescence (post-IR IRSL; pIRIR₂₉₀) methods have been used to date the Sanbahuo loess site in northeastern China. The quartz OSL characteristics are satisfactory. The measured pIRIR₂₉₀ D_e's do not vary significantly with IR stimulation temperatures between 50 °C and 260 °C; a first IR stimulation temperature of 200 °C was adopted. Dose recovery tests were performed by adding different laboratory doses to both laboratory bleached (300 h SOL2) samples and natural samples; the results are satisfactory up to ∼800 Gy. Resulting quartz OSL and feldspar pIRIR₂₉₀ ages are in good agreement at least back to ∼44 ka; beyond this feldspar pIRIR₂₉₀ ages are older. The feldspar ages are consistent with the expected age of the S1 palaeosol (MIS 5). There appears to have been a period of fast loess deposition at ∼62 ka, perhaps indicative of winter monsoon intensification with a very cold and dry climate that lead to a serious desertification of dunefields in northeastern China.     

Testing the application of quartz and feldspar luminescence dating to MIS 5 Japanese marine deposits

The applicability of both quartz and feldspar luminescence dating was tested on twenty-five samples from a marine succession now forming a coastal cliff at Oga Peninsula, Honshu Island, Japan. The quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signal shows thermal instability and linear modulated (LM)-OSL analysis revealed the dominance of a slow component. When compared with independent age control provided by two marker tephras, the quartz OSL ages grossly underestimate the depositional age. In contrast, potassium (K)-rich feldspar is a suitable dosimeter when measured using post-IR infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) at 225 °C (pIRIR₂₂₅). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses on the feldspar extracts revealed that the grains are amorphous with small crystalline inclusions; using standard internal dose rate parameters, this would result in a too large dose rate. Dose rates were calculated using the observed grain size of 40 ± 20 μm with an assumed K concentration of 12.5 ± 0.5%. The fading corrected pIRIR₂₂₅ ages agree well with independent age control, and the sediments of the Katanishi Formation were deposited between 82 ± 6 and 170 ± 16 ka. This study demonstrates that pIRIR dating of feldspar is a powerful chronological tool for the dating of sediments of volcanic origin.     

Evaluating OSL-SAR protocols for dating quartz grains from the loess in Ili Basin,Central Asia

Late Pleistocene records of loess deposition are a critical archive for understanding terrestrial paleoenvironment changes in Central Asia. The age of loess is not well known for the deserts regions and surrounding high plateaus in Central Asia. Previous studies have shown that there remains a disparity between ages for loess deposition by luminescence and ¹⁴C dating. This study evaluates the potential of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) to date a loess sequence resting on fluvial sands in the east Ili Basin, Central Asia. The single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol on coarse grain quartz was employed for equivalent dose determinations. The basal fluvial sand returned a secure OSL age, with low overdispersion value in equivalent doses (19 ± 2%) of ca. 36 ka and provides a close, but maximum age estimate (within 5 ka) on the initiation of loess deposition. However, the loess yielded high overdispersion values for equivalent doses and age reversals, coincident with diffuse paleosols; indicating that pedoturbation with loess deposition may be a dominant process. OSL ages between ca. 45 and 14 ka calculated using a maximum age model and OSL ages from other sites in the Basin suggests that the latest major period of loess deposition was between 70 and 10 ka ago. A future hypothesis to test based on these analyses is that there may be three periods of heightened loess deposition at ca. 45, 35 to 19 and 14 ka, when desert source areas to the west were particularly dry.     

Comparison of paired quartz OSL and feldspar post-IR IRSL dose distributions in poorly bleached fluvial sediments from South Africa

A comparative study using quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and feldspar post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (post-IR IRSL) was undertaken on Quaternary fluvial sediments from an unnamed tributary of the Moopetsi River in South Africa. The aim is to assess whether the post-IR IRSL signal can be used to date incompletely bleached sediments. Several post-IR IRSL signals using varying stimulation and preheat temperatures were investigated; of these the post-IR IRSL₂₂₅ signal was deemed most appropriate for dating because it bleached most rapidly. The feldspar post-IR IRSL₂₂₅ equivalent dose (D_e) values from this site are consistently larger than those from quartz OSL, probably due to differences in the bleaching characteristics of the two signals. Additionally, the post-IR IRSL₂₂₅ D_e values within a sample showed less variation in precision than the quartz D_e data, possibly due to greater averaging between grains in the feldspar small aliquots. The agreement between ages based on the OSL and post-IR IRSL₂₂₅ signals was better for younger samples (<20 ka) than for older ones (>50 ka); the cause of this variation is unclear.     

Luminescence dating of Weichselian interstadial sediments from the German Baltic Sea coast

A cliff outcrop called Kluckow, in the Baltic Sea area, with a (glacio-) fluvial to (glacio-) lacustrine succession, provides a unique opportunity to resolve uncertainties in the timing and extent of several poorly constrained Weichselian ice advances. Based on a detailed lithofacies analysis, we selected four sampling horizons for luminescence dating to determine a depositional chronology. We measured both coarse-grain quartz and potassium-rich feldspar for age determination using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and post-IR infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR). Furthermore we addressed potential problems such as incomplete bleaching and quartz saturation effects. The resulting luminescence-chronology, supported by one radiocarbon age, illustrates a depositional time interval of the investigated sequence between ∼62 and ∼22 ka. Within this sequence a mussel-bearing fluvial sand indicate interstadial climate conditions at approximately 46 ka. The upper part of the section is composed of a 4 m thick glaciolacustrine silty clay and an overlying glaciofluvial sand; the latter yielded an OSL age of ∼22 ka. Shortly after these sequences formed, the subsequent ice advance (indicated by the overlying till sheet) reached the study area. Based on our new chronology and lithofacies analysis, we conclude that the Scandinavian Ice Sheet did not reach the study area between ∼62 and ∼22 ka.