Gamma-ray buildup factors for a point isotropic source in stratified spherical shields have been studied experimentally. Energy absorption rates for an experimental setup of iron spheres in water have been measured using the thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD)-200. The measured absorbed doses in the TLD have been converted to the absorbed doses in iron and water by using cavity ionization theory. The measured absorbed doses and energy absorption buildup factors in iron and water were then compared with those calculated using the BIGGI-4T and EGS4 codes.