The principle of luminescence dating is based on the fact that a crystal (phosphor) can accumulate radiation energy in natural environment with a stable radiation field

and then can emit photons when stimulated by other forms of energy. There are different efficiencies of absorbing energy and luminescence responses to different radiation for various phosphors. Therefore

much knowledge originating from different fields has been used in the luminescence dating even if there is no idea itself in the field. The author has developed BG2003 luminescent spectrograph and a selective frequency luminescent technique to improve the luminescence dating in last few years. The history of luminescence dating is reviewed and the reason for developing this new technique is described in detail.