Chronological and chemical approaches to obsidians from Bakla Tepe and Liman Tepe, Western Anatolia

In this study, the provenance of 42 obsidians from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age levels of two settlements – Bakla Tepe and Liman Tepe – located on the Aegean coast of Anatolia were investigated with an interdisciplinary approach using fission-track (FT) dating, Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis (ENAA). Some artefacts showed FT ages of a few thousand years. Apparent FT ages of the remaining samples are distributed over a wide range, from 0.53 ± 0.03 to 1.43 ± 0.20 Ma. After application of the size-correction method, most artefacts were distributed in a homogeneous group characterized by FT ages varying from 1.48 ± 0.47 to 1.80 ± 0.20 Ma, with a mean value of 1.65 ± 0.05 Ma and low induced track density corresponding to low U content. The remaining 3 samples showed relatively high induced track densities. One of them has an apparent age of 0.53 ± 0.03 Ma and a sizecorrected age of 1.02 ± 0.07 Ma. The probable potential sources for the studied samples were identified as the island of Melos in the Aegean, and the central Anatolian sources – particularly the Göllüdağ complex – through comparison of the FT data. INAA and ENAA studies have been carried out on 34 artefacts at the TRIGA Mark II research reactor of the University of Pavia. The identification of the sources was attained through cluster analysis of the chemical data. These results agree fully with those obtained by FT dating: most artefacts originated from the Melos–Dhemenegaki flow, and only 3 samples from central Anatolia. The current study provides a contribution to a better understanding of the circulation of obsidians in Anatolia

Agricultural adaptations to mid-late Holocene climate change in western Türkiye

Abstract The period around the mid-late Holocene transition (c. 2200 bc) saw major societal developments across the eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, the region experienced a shift to more arid climatic conditions. This included punctuated episodes of rapid climate change such as the ‘4.2 ka event’, which has been implicated in widespread societal ‘collapse’ at the end of the Early Bronze Age. The ways in which societies adapted agricultural production to cope with a drying climate are poorly understood. We begin to rectify this through stable isotope analysis of archaeobotanical remains from the Aegean region of western Türkiye, conducted to reveal changes in agricultural decision making across the mid-late Holocene transition. We find that Bronze Age farmers adapted agricultural production strategies by investing in drought-tolerant cereals cultivated on drier fields with water management strategies redirected towards pulses. Despite this, we find no evidence for pronounced drought stress in cereals grown during the period of the 4.2 ka event. This raises the potential for alternative explanations for societal disruptions visible across the Anatolian Plateau during this time, such as the breakdown of long-distance trade networks

10. Kuruluş Etkinliği

Batı Anadolu ve Doğu Akdeniz Kültürleri Üzerine Yeni Araştırmalar Uluslararası Sempozyumu 24.04.2007- 25.04.2007 bildiri kitabıdır. İnsan figürlerin yer aldığı seramik örnekleri Bademgediği kazılarında ele geçmiş olup Kos kökenli diğer boya bezemeli Myken seramik örnekleriyle birlikte yayınlandıkları Mountjoy, Per.eiope A. (2005). "Mycenaean Connections with the Near East in LH IIIC: Ships and Sea Peoples", Emporia. Aegearıs in the Central and Eastern Mediterrenean. Proceedings of the lOth International Aegean Conference Italian School of Archaeology 14-18 April 2004. (Eds. R. Laffineur ve E. Greco.) Liege: Üniversite d'Liege makalesinden aktarılmıştır. Öğeler U. Deniz tarafından yeniden düzenlenmiştir

Provenance studies of obsidian artifacts in Anatolia: new data from Agean costal sites

Baklatepe and Limantepe are settlements located along the Aegean coast of Anatolia in the Izmir region. The excavations revealed that these sites have been continuously inhabited since the Late Chalcolit hic up to the Early Byzant ine periods (Baklatepe) and since Neolithic t imes up to the present day (Limantepe) . In this study, 40 obsidian and 6 flint artifacts from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age levels of these sites were investigated with an interdisciplinary approach using fission-track (FT)dating, and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) techniques. Based upon thei r FTages the obsidian artifacts were classified in two groups. The main group of 37 samples is characterized by FT ages varying between 148 ± 0.47 and 1.80 ± 0.20 Ma,with a mean value of 1.65 ± 0.05 Ma, and low U content (around 3 ppm) These data allow attributing this group to the Aegean Melos Island obsidian sources. The second group is represented by only 3 samples, characterized by a lower FT age (around 1 Ma) and a significantly higher U content (around 9 ppm). This group was identi fied as origina t ing from the volcaniccomplex (Central Anatolia). INAA studies have been carried out on 33 obsidian artifacts at the TRIGA Mark II research reactor of the University of Pavia following the techniques which have been routinely used by the Radiochemist ry Group. Results fully agree with those obtained with FT dating: most artifa cts originated from the Melos -Demenegaki flow, and only 3 samples from Central Anatolia . INAA analyses of the f lint artifacts revealed that these samples, unsuitable for application of FT dating, can be easily discriminated from the obsidian artifacts based on their chemical prop erties, especially considering the trace elements contents. Compa rison with data obtained on samples from other settlements of Anato lia and Italy proved that INAA is an efficient technique for discriminating flint artifacts originat ing from different sources