Long-Distance Obsidian Conveyance During the Neolithic: A Critical Analysis of Three Obsidian Blades Found in Poland

Three obsidian blades found in Poland, traced to the Nemrut Dağ source in eastern Anatolia, represent the furthest known western distribution of this material—approximately 2,200 km from its origin. This discovery triples the previously recorded range for Nemrut Dağ obsidian and challenges assumptions about Neolithic trade networks. The study critically evaluates contextual evidence, techno-typological features, and raw material analysis (EDXRF) to validate the artefacts' authenticity. By reconstructing their history of recovery and curation, researchers provide a nuanced interpretation of long-distance obsidian conveyance during the Neolithic period.

Hughes, R. E., Werra, D. H., Sobkowiak-Tabaka, I., Małecka-Kukawka, J., & Demidziuk, K. (2025). Long-Distance Obsidian Conveyance During the Neolithic: A Critical Analysis of Three Obsidian Blades Found in Poland. European Journal of Archaeology, 29(1), 86–107. https://doi.org/10.1017/eaa.2025.10018