Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Palaeointensity and thermoluminescence measurements on Cretan kilns from 1300 to 2000 BC

Abstract

The strength of the geomagnetic field in Crete during Minoan times has been determined using kiln wall samples from three Minoan palaces, Faistos, Aghia Triada and Kato Zakros, from the Minoan village at Stylos Hania and a Roman kiln at Kalo Horio. The samples have been dated by thermoluminescence measurements providing absolute dates for the construction of a palaeointensity curve. Without the thermoluminescence dates it would have been necessary to use the archaeologists' estimates of the kiln ages, one of which is shown here to be in error by 500 yr.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wunderlich, G. H. The Secret of Crete (Fontana, London, 1976).

  2. Pichler, H. & Schiering, W. Nature 267, 819–822 (1977).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Marinatos, S. (ed.) Int. Sci. Congr. Volcano of Thera, Athens (1971).

  4. Galanopoulos, A. G. Int. Sci. Congr. Volcano of Thera, 184–210, Athens (1971).

  5. Ninkovich, D. & Meezen, B. A. Colston Papers, 17, 413–452 (Butterworths,London, 1965).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hutchinson, R. W. Prehistoric Crete (Penguin, London, 1962).

  7. Davaras, K. Archaeological Ephemeris (1973).

  8. Fleming, S. Archaeometry 12, 135 (2970).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Liritzis, Y. & McKerrell, H. Proc. int. Symp. Archaeometry and Archaeol. Prospection, (Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn, 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Shaw, J. Geophys. J.R. astr. Soc. 48, 263 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Coe, R. S. J. geophys. Res. 72, 3247–3269 (1967).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kono, M. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. 54, 241–261 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. Walton, D. Nature 277, 643–644 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liritzis, Y., Thomas, R. Palaeointensity and thermoluminescence measurements on Cretan kilns from 1300 to 2000 BC. Nature 283, 54–55 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/283054a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/283054a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing