The photoluminescence (PL) and afterglow (AGL) characteristics of SrO-Al(2)O(3):Eu(2+),Dy(3+) phosphors are studied here. This phosphor was synthesized through solid-state route with two different precursor materials. At the synthesis/annealing temperature of 1200 degrees C and above, the phosphor prepared through either route exhibited similar PL and AGL emission. However, at different synthesis/annealing temperatures below 1200 degrees C, the phosphor exhibited PL and AGL emissions at different wavelengths. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the formation of different intermediate compounds like SrAl(4)O(7) and SrAl(2)O(4) to varying extent at different temperatures below 1200 degrees C. The observed difference between the AGL and PL emission maxima is rationalized based on the presence of intermediate compounds and also on the diffusion of Eu and Dy in the sample matrices.