Scholarly Publications - Archaeology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11693/115645

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Open Access
Early Bronze Age metalwork in Central Anatolia – an archaeometric view from the hamlet
(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2014) Zimmermann, T.; Geniş, E. Y.
The following contribution discusses the results of spectroscopic analyses carried out on metal artefacts from the Early Bronze Age cemetery of Kalınkaya- Toptaştepe in central Anatolia. Given that archaeometric data from 3rd- millennium BCE Central Anatolia are still quite sparse, tend to stem mainly from earlier central places, and the assemblages from village sites have so far remained largely unexplored, the study we present here is primarily intended to draw much needed attention to the data that are available. Copper-arsenic alloys exist alongside ‘true’ bronzes (copper-tin alloys), and contamination, for example by nickel, can yield much information about specific deposits. The results obtained provide good insights into the use of metals and traditional alloying techniques on a minor settlement at the end of the Anatolian Early Bronze Age.
Open Access
Early daggers in Anatolia – a necessary reappraisal
(Trnavska Univerzita * Filozoficka Fakulta, 2006) Zimmermann, T.
This paper aims to give a conspectus of the earliest double-edged stabbing weapons in Anatolia, precisely identifying them as daggers through a clear functional and technological definition. Early lithic daggers from Pre-Pottery Neolithic contexts are discussed, but the main focus is on a chronological re-evaluation of metal inventories from İkiztepe in Turkey, which are officially labeled as “Bronze Age”, but are highly likely to be roughly 1,000 years older, fitting in well with the overall scheme of Anatolian -Balkan interactions in the 4th millennium BC.
Open Access
The first casting mould for a ‘Syrian Bottle’ from Lipnik, Bulgaria
(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2021-08-25) Leschtakov, L.; Zimmermann, Thomas
The following article presents the first mould ever discovered for casting a so-called “Syrian Bottle”, a distinctive vessel type that originated in Mesopotamia around the mid 3rd millennium BC and soon after spread to Anatolia, the Aegean and Southeast Europe, as imports and local derivatives. A few examples were made from precious metals and lead, the most notable one being a golden globular bottle, part of “Priam’s” Treasure A” from Early Bronze Age Troy. The mould from Lipnik seems to have been intended for the production of small metal bottles of ‘Syrian’ shape, and supportive agents like a green sand core applied for the production of such a complex item. The mould, however, was obviously never used. A review of associated manufacturing details like pegholes, riser and vent show that although these fea-tures were particularly prominent in the 2nd millennium BC, moulds from earlier (Anatolian) contexts do possess such characteristics as well. This currently unique, locally produced example is therefore dated to the latest 3rd or ear-liest second millennium BC, coinciding with ever-growing interaction between distant cultural entities stretching from Mesopotamia to Southeast Europe and beyond, and allowing for the exchange of ideas, fashions and technol-ogies.
Open Access
Limestone round graves in Early Bronze Age central Anatolia-Isolated phenomenon or Caucasian-Middle Asian inheritance?
(2008) Zimmermann, T.
The article discusses an insufficiently appraised burial type from late Early Bronze Age Anatolia (second half 3rd millennium B.C.). Until recently, circular limestone graves with a central separation wall dividing the interior into two compartments were only attested to the Early Bronze Age levels of Kültepe, district of Kayseri. An intramural triple inhumation, buried in an identically constructed silo-type limestone grave at Kalinkaya, Alaca, district of Çorum, now widens their distribution. However, round domestic dwellings, considered an intrusive element in the Anatolian Early Bronze Age, are known from several Anatolian and Eastern Turkish sites. Furthermore, in neighboring Transcaucasia, round domestic dwellings at Kuro-Araxes sites display similar central separation walls, as attested at the funeral monuments of Kültepe and Kalinkaya. Therefore an initial use of these features as secular structures prior to their transformation into funeral monuments is proposed. Moreover, these phenomena are interpreted as a new facet in connection with the spread of »Transcaucasian« culture into Anatolia, as has been traditionally attested to by the distribution of »Transcaucasian« ceramic wares and metallurgical innovations as their main diagnostic features.
Open Access
Master and apprentice some thoughts on Anatolian Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age metalwork and the many dimensions of communicating skills and expertise
(Trnavska Univerzita * Filozoficka Fakulta, 2021) Zimmermann, Thomas
This contribution first challenges the traditional view of a linear, gradually advancing, and unbroken development of metalwork in Anatolia, with the simple mechanical treatment of solid copper as an indispensable precursor for complex extractive metallurgy. The present evidence rather testifies to a “second coming” of metalwork in the second half of the 4th millennium BC, after metallurgical activities remained largely idle after their inception around 5.000 BC. In the second part, phenomena like the absence of founder’s burials in Bronze Age Anatolia are reviewed, to deliberate about the communication of skill and knowledge for smelting, casting and refining metal.
Open Access
Priesterkönigs-schmiedemeister? Zur (un)sichtbarkeit von metallhandwerkern im grabritus der anatolischen frühbronzezeit
(Slovak Academy of Sciences, Archaeological Institute, 2021) Zimmermann, Thomas
This article discusses the visibility of founders or metal craftsmen in the graves of Early Bronze Age Anatolia (ca. 3000–1950 BC). The examination of relevant burials from the 3rd millennium BC cemeteries in Central and Western Turkey did not produce any assemblages containing diagnostic items like crucibles, cushion stones or other casting equipment, which is noteworthy given the abundance of metalworking features from domestic Early Bronze Age contexts. ‘Showcase’ inventories from Troia or Alaca Höyük, although said to contain metallurgical items, in fact do not support this peculiar type of burial group, which at present seems not to occur in Anatolia.
Open Access
Symbols of salvation? – function, semantics and social context of Early Bronze Age ritual equipment from Central Anatolia
(Trnavska Univerzita * Filozoficka Fakulta, 2007) Zimmermann, T.
The following contribution re-evaluates some well known metal items from the central Ana-tolian Early Bronze Age, commonly referred to as “ceremonial standards” or “sistra”. The enormous popularity and even over-familiarity of these extraordinary objects needs to be contrasted with what we actually know about their original function, social context and eventual role as elaborate funerary gis. This paper therefore aims to critically reappraise and re-evaluate the numerous contributions made on this maer in order to discuss their function and/or cultural aliation, and in doing so propose some further considerations regarding their actual meaning and social context in the light of recent research.
Embargo
Toward an understanding of the exchange in ancient scented oils through organic residue analysis of Bronze Age Near Eastern ceramic bottles by GC-MS
(John Wiley & Sons, 2023-08-01) Tarhan, İ.; Massa, Michele; Türkteki, M.; Türkteki, S.
This paper presents a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) organic residue analysis (ORA) of samples extracted from five Early Bronze Age ceramic bottles excavated at the archaeological site of Küllüoba in Anatolia (modern Turkey), and the first attempt at directly analysing the content of this category of products. Our results show that various types of liquid have been contained in different bottles and identify the presence of dicarboxylic and oleic acids with a large amount of palmitic acid in most samples, suggesting that they may have mostly contained a plant-based oil. The presence of diterpenoids further shows the addition of ingredients such as conifer resin and other plant-derived products. Overall, the analytical results presented here indicate the exchange of scented oils in Anatolia already during the late third millennium BCE. The different organic residue profiles contained in different samples also suggest a range of different recipes for these products.
Open Access
Verbogen, zerschlagen, zerhackt-Spuren ekstatischer Inszenierungen in frühbronzezeitlichen Gräbern Anatoliens
(Türk Eskiçağ Bilimleri Enstitüsü, 2010) Zimmermann, Thomas

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Browsing Scholarly Publications - Archaeology by Subject "Anatolia"