Dating dry-stone walls with rock surface luminescence: A case study from the Italian Alps

Dating the construction of dry-stone walls is challenging since such structures are typically built without any mortar that can be used for dating. Rock surface luminescence dating a developing method could advance chronological insights from constructed using techniques. This study explores rock by targeting two enclosure complexes and hut located in pastoral upland landscape Val di Sole, Italy. Gneissic rocks were collected walls, including surfaces either exposed or covered (buried) during time sampling. Their respective exposure burial histories investigated measuring intensity feldspar minerals polymineral slices. From one complex, we calculated recent ages (∽200 a) rock, ∽500 (bottom surface) 3750 ± 660 (top second rock. The top additional date an adjacent to Early Middle Ages. luminescence-depth profile has complex history, events predate hut’s construction. Fitted suggest with significant errors age (<10 19th century AD. Burial appears feasible provided was sufficiently before being incorporated into structure; here, gneissic bleached depths ∽0-2 mm last burial. Contrariwise, generally underestimates expected age. variation observed our indicates degree preservation wall, position erosion, knowledge regarding general archaeological setting essential interpreting estimated ages. In this study, provides new, previously inaccessible data implications human activities alpine areas Sole.