Luminescence dates of pre-Late Weichselian reddish-brown clay in and south of the Middle Swedish End-Moraine Zone

Abstract

New luminescence dates (TL = 43 ± 5 ka and OSL = 45±5 ka) confirm data from Sjötorp, in the province of Västergötland, Sweden, interpreted as evidence for the occurrence of sediment older than from the latest Weichselian deglaciation. A TL-age of 69±8 ka and an OSL-age of 91±10 ka from a sample in the Ledsjö ridge strengthen our speculation of old sediment also further north within the Middle Swedish End-Moraine Zone. We conclude that sediments originally deposited prior to the last Weichselian maximum are present in the area although it is unsure if one or several stratigraphical units occur.

Key Words:

• Pre-Late Weichselian
• the Middle Swedish End-Moraine Zone
• luminescence dating