[en] The ²²⁷Th/²³⁰Th dating method is described in detail and its usefulness investigated by comparing ages of sixteen Pleistocene carbonates (mainly cave deposits) with those determined by the ²³¹Pa/²³⁵U and ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U methods. The ²²⁷Th/²³⁰Th ages are found to be critically dependent on corrections for decay of ²²⁷Th prior to alpha counting and ingrowth of daughter isotopes of ²³²Th derived from clastic detritus. Of nineteen sets of ages determined for the sixteen samples, good agreement is found for only seven sets. Differences are attributed to low U content of some samples and the possibility of excess ²²⁷Th in the calcite of samples younger than ∼ 50 ky, possibly due to the coprecipitation of ²³¹Pa during formation. Calculated 'negative' ²²⁷Th/²³⁰Th ages may be a direct result of this process and the fact that, unlike the other methods, the activity ratio is non-zero at zero age. Nevertheless, the ²²⁷Th/²³⁰Th is found to be a useful alternative dating technique for carbonates which are between ∼ 50 and 300 ky, because no spiking is required. It also serves as a check for partial concordancy with ages dated by the other methods. (author)