LJ absorption edges of rare earths. R , in RCu& (except for R = La. Ce, Eu. Er and Lu) and in RCu2Ge2 (except for R = La. Ce, Er and Lu) intermetallic compounds are recorded. Shifts in energy of the L? edge in these systems with respect to corresponding rare-earth metal edge position are measured. It is found that the rare-earth ions exist in a trivalent state except for Eu and Yb. The divalent state of Eu in EuCu2GeZ and that of Yb in YbCuzGe2 are established. Shifts in energy of the K absorption edge of Cu in RCuZSi2 and RCu2Ge2 (except for Ho and Lu) are also measured. The present results on the Kedge shifts of Cu in RCu2GeZ and RCu2Si2 are. in general, consistent with the available NMR measurements on the same systems.