Establishing a chronology for landscape evolution around a Final Palaeolithic site at Arendonk-Korhaan (NE Belgium): first results from OSL dating

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating was applied to constrain the timing of aeolian activity and surface stability around the Final Palaeolithic site at Arendonk-Korhaan. The sequence under investigation consists of coversands and an intercalated bleached horizon, which is thought to represent the Usselo Soil of Allerod age. This horizon contains a concentration of lithics that can be attributed to the Final Palaeolithic Federmesser culture. All samples show satisfactory luminescence characteristics. While the equivalent doses and dose rates show an unexpected spread, the resulting optical ages are internally consistent and in agreement with geological and archaeological expectations. The coversands under- and overlying the bleached horizon are dated at 14.2 +/- 1.1 ka (n = 5) and 11.7 +/- 0.9 ka (n = 2), respectively; the horizon itself yields an age of 14.1 +/- 1.3 ka. As such, the results allow distinguishing two discrete phases of aeolian deposition, and they confirm that the intercalated bleached horizon represents the Usselo Soil of Allerod age. It is concluded that, throughout the Late Glacial, the site was only fit for human occupation during the milder climatic and environmental conditions of the Allerod stage