Petrographic and geochemical investigations of the late prehistoric ceramics from Sos Höyük, Erzurum (Eastern Anatolia)

Ceramics from the late prehistoric periods at Sos Höyük, in Eastern Anatolia, located along a thoroughfare that connects the Trans-Caucasus, Iran and central Anatolia, were subjected to petrographic and X-ray fluorescence analysis in order to characterise the clay groups, with a view to determining provenance and production patterns. Dominated by Kura-Araxes Ware, the data from the sequence at Sos Höyük were compared with the previous studies from the neighbouring regions to understand commonalities in pottery production. The analyses reveal a local production of vessels, most probably for household use. Although Sos Höyük potters shared similarities in the procurement pattern of raw clays and production technique with their neighbours, differences can be also recognized.

► We analyzed some Late Chalcolithic to Middle Bronze age ceramics of Kura-Araxes culture from Sos Höyük, in Eastern Anatolia using petrographic and geochemical methods.
► They were produced locally from different clay sources.
► No clear preference for any particular clay source for certain ceramic types and vice versa was determined.
► The ceramics were most likely produced for household use and local consumption.
► Our results show similarity in their pottery-making tradition, mode of production and production technique to the Kura-Araxes community in other regions.