Development of Chronology for Historical Mining Shaft Remains in the Vicinity of Tarnowskie Góry Based on Radiocarbon, Luminescence and Dendrochronological Dating

Abstract

Abstract This study focused on determining the age of sediments found in the remains of historical mining in the post-exploitation field in Tarnowskie Góry, Poland. The limited historical sources indicated that lead ore and silver were mined there from the 12th to 20th centuries. The research utilised radiocarbon dating, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and fallout radioisotopes analysis to establish a chronology of the mining remains. Excavations were conducted on three historical mining shafts. In one of them, remains of old construction wood were found. Radiocarbon dating yielded 12 results, with the majority falling within the range of 1435 cal AD to 1645 cal AD. Two results were significantly older and covered the period of the beginnings of the Polish State. OSL dating provided results ranging from 2.5 ka BP to 216 ka BP, a time range much older than that indicated by radiocarbon dates. The OSL ages were found to be greatly overestimated, indicating that the luminescence signal was not reset during the redeposition of sediments. While the obtained results provided a preliminary chronology of the study site, further detailed research, especially regarding the older samples, is necessary to enhance our understanding of the mining history in the area.