Lime Production in the Late Chalcolithic Period: The Case of Arslantepe (Eastern Anatolia)

Plaster and mortar samples from Arslantepe (Turkey) hold potential to provide unique information about the lime production and adhibition during the Late Chalcolithic period (4th millennium BCE). A multi-analytical approach including polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) has been applied to characterize mortar samples from temple C and elite residences dated back to the late Chalcolithic 3-4 (3800-3400 BCE). A marly limestone has been identified as starting raw material for the lime production, probably coming from two different sources (local and brought from a different part of the Malatya plain). Moreover, different aggregate selection and the use of different production techniques were also detected in the samples, which are probably related to the function of the buildings. Evidence of a re-plastering process was also detected in the two elite houses, which probably refers to a routine maintenance process.

Automated summary

A multi-analytical approach was used to study plaster and mortar samples from Arslantepe, revealing unique information about lime production and application during the Late Chalcolithic period. Different sources of marly limestone were identified as raw materials for lime production, along with evidence of different aggregate selection and production techniques in the samples, possibly related to the function of the buildings.