Thermoluminescence and Glozel

Abstract

The advance of new scientific methods, in particular the thermoluminescence technique for analysis of ceramic objects (Aitken and Fleming, 1972; Perlman et al., 1972), have opened up new possibilities for investigation of the mysterious finds at Glozel. As a first contribution we describe in this article the thermoluminescence analysis of a number of typical Glozelian objects: inscribed clay tablets, face urns, sexual idols, small vessels (lamps) and bobines. Our results are in marked contrast with earlier assumptions of forgery: all objects investigated prove to be genuine and give a preliminary date within the period 700 BC-AD 100.