Cultural interactions during the Ubaid and Halaf periods: Tell Kurdu (Amuq Valley, Turkey) obsidian sourcing

In order to decipher cultural influences, the inter-regional contacts of the Tell Kurdu settlement have been investigated through obsidian sourcing for the Halaf and Ubaid phases (c. 5700-4300 cal. BC). The chemical composition of nine artifacts from three archaeological levels of the site have been determined and compared to source data obtained in our laboratory or available in the literature. Trace and major element analyses were performed respectively by inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results assignments point out five distinct sources which highlight northwestward and eastward connections. Besides the “traditional” procurement areas (Göllü Dag and Nemrut Dag massifs; Bingöl region), the development of new exploitation centers (northeast Anatolia and northeast Van lake) is noteworthy. These results of obsidian provenances are compared to those of other raw materials and production originating from distant areas, in order to outline Tell Kurdu trade networks during the Halaf and Ubaid periods.