[en] Within the framework of the CEC R and D Programme ''Management and Storage of Radioactive Waste'', the study of the generation of radiation damage in heavily irradiated rock salt is being carried out. This work describes the experiments carried out for the validation of the TL techniques, in the assessment of the phenomena related to the energy absorbed by the rock salt, due to the high levels of irradiation. The samples analysed are natural rock salt coming from the Sallent mine (Spain). The chemical composition of the rocks is, in all cases, higher than 90% NaCl, having small amounts of SO₄, Mg, K, Br and Sr as major impurities. A first set of irradiations was performed at the laboratory with a source of ¹³⁷Cs. The doses reached were lower than 20Gy. A second set of irradiations was performed at an industrial facility with a source of ⁶⁰Co, achieving doses up to 2.5 MGy. Afterwards the irradiated samples were analysed with TL and optical absorption techniques. The results have facilitated a study of the glow curves, their evolution in time and the influence of the chemical composition, the absorbed dose, and the absorbed dose rate. These experiments have increased knowledge of the behaviour of heavily irradiated rock salt. (Author)