Neutron Activation Analysis of Obsidian From Kalavasos- Tenta

Bibliographic Data

ID11074034
AuthorsBasil Gomez (0000-0002-5762-3183, corresponding author), Michael D Glascock (0000-0003-0686-7556), M James Blackman, Ian A Todd
Year1995
Volume22
Issue4
Pages503-508
Publication date1995-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Field Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0093-4690 • E-ISSN: 2042-4582
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1179/009346995791974080
OpenAlexW2039566130
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited12

The small quantity of obsidian used by the Aceramic Neolithic occupants of Cyprus was imported, there being no source on the island.The chemical composition, determined by neutron activation analysis, of six samples of obsidian from Kalavasos-Tenta indicates that they were derived from the central Anatolian, Göllü Dağ (çiftlik: Group 2b) source. On the basis of chemical composition, obsidian from five Cypriot Aceramnic Neolithic sites has the same provenance. Our data suggest that the fragments we analyzed were not derived from a single core and, because obsidian occurs throughout the Aceramic period of occupation of kalavasos-Tenta, it appears unlikely that the 36 artifacts recovered from the site represent a one-time transfer of material. This suggests an enduring supply, and implies to us that the inhabitants of Kalavasos-Tenta were never completely isolated from the mainland

Archaeological science · Archaeology · Chemical composition · Geochemistry · Geography · Provenance · Ancient Near East History · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Chemistry · Geology · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology