Archaeomagnetic dating of a limestone kiln at Nijmegen (The Netherlands)

Abstract

A kiln used for the burning of limestone was found in the town centre of Nijmegen (The Netherlands) and was sampled for archaeomagnetic dating purposes, since at the time of excavation archaeological dating materials were still absent. Samples taken from the kiln wall generally yield consistent characteristic remanent magnetizations. The mean direction is compared with the archaeomagnetic calibration curve for Britain. The result shows that the kiln is of Roman age rather than belonging to the Middle Ages. Combined with the few archaeological data found later, an age in the 4th century AD is most probable.