Obsidian production strategies at Kendale Hecala during the Neolithic and Ubaid periods

This study represents the geochemical characterization of obsidian artifacts from Kendale Hecala to understand the nature of obsidian chaine ope & PRIME;ratoire during the Pottery Neolithic and Ubaid 4-3/Early Chalcolithic periods in the Upper Tigris region. Elemental characterization of 292 obsidian artifacts using a handheld portable X-ray Fluorescence instrument along with the techno-typological analysis indicates different production patterns for the sources exploited at the settlement, including Bingo & BULL;l A, Nemrut Dag, Bingo & BULL;l B, Group 3d, Sarikamis,, and Meydan Dag. The change in the obsidian use observed by the number and the weight per source reflects no significant differences in source diversity; however, the relative proportion of each source changes. Even though Bingo & BULL;l A remains the dominant source throughout time, the techno-typological analysis based on weighted frequency per compositional group by categories shows a preferential utilization of obsidian sources. The results of the study suggest alternative acquisition models for different sources and two possible routes for obsidian transportation to the site.

Automated summary

This study conducted a geochemical characterization of obsidian artifacts from Kendale Hecala in the Upper Tigris region during the Pottery Neolithic and Ubaid 4-3/Early Chalcolithic periods. The results indicate different production patterns and preferential utilization of obsidian sources. These findings suggest alternative acquisition models and possible routes for obsidian transportation.