A Comparative Study of Pottery from Mersin-Yumuktepe and Arslantepe, Turkey

A comparative analysis of pottery from Arslantepe Mound and Mersin-Yumuktepe reveals distinct differences in elemental composition, offering insights into the origin of raw materials and manufacturing practices during the Chalcolithic (ca. 5000 BC) and Late Bronze Age (1650–1200 BC). Using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), researchers identified key inclusions and trace elements, while multivariate statistical methods highlighted similarities and variations between the two sites. The study suggests that contamination during manufacturing may have influenced ceramic properties, providing a deeper understanding of ancient craftsmanship in Eastern Turkey.

Buccolieri, A., Bozzetti, G., Serra, A., Manno, D., Caneva, I., & Manuelli, F. (2015). A Comparative Study of Pottery from Mersin-Yumuktepe and Arslantepe, Turkey. Archaeological Discovery, 03(01), 15–25. https://doi.org/10.4236/ad.2015.31002