Investigation of the Potential of IRSL Single Aliquot and Single Grain Feldspar for Dating Qanat Irrigation Systems

A groundbreaking study demonstrates the potential of IRSL single aliquot and single grain feldspar dating techniques to directly date ancient Persian qanat irrigation systems, challenging long-held assumptions about their origin. The research, conducted on spoil deposits near the Dasht-e-Bayaz fault in northeastern Iran, provides the first OSL dating evidence for these elaborate tunnel systems, which facilitated water extraction in arid regions and sustained agricultural practices for centuries. While initial single aliquot results posed interpretative challenges, the adoption of single grain dating offered more reliable chronologies. The study not only advances our understanding of the antiquity and development of qanat technology but also sheds light on its potential Iranian origins, contrasting with claims attributed to Roman innovation. Additionally, the research contributes to geological studies by investigating the slip-rate of the Dasht-e-Bayaz fault, highlighting the intersection of archaeological and geophysical inquiries in this historically significant region.

Aqazadeh, A., Fattahi, M., T. Walker, R., Talebian, M., A. Sloan, R., & M. Khatib, M. (2011). Investigation of the Potential of IRSL Single Aliquot and Single Grain Feldspar for Dating Qanat Irrigation Systems. 73rd EAGE Conference and Exhibition Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2011. https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.20149677