The Beginning of the Iron Age at Arslantepe: A14C Perspective

Arslantepe Mound, a significant archaeological site, shows evidence of early Iron Age development as early as the mid-13th century BC, predating the collapse of the Hittite Empire. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age in the Syro-Anatolian region. Researchers used high-precision radiocarbon (14C) dating via accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), combined with archaeobotanical analysis and stratigraphic data, to establish a more accurate local chronology. The study integrates Luwian hieroglyphic inscriptions and archaeological data from the site and its surroundings, providing a robust framework for understanding the historical events that shaped the region during this pivotal period.

Manuelli, F., Vignola, C., Marzaioli, F., Passariello, I., & Terrasi, F. (2021). THE BEGINNING OF THE IRON AGE AT ARSLANTEPE: A¹⁴C PERSPECTIVE. Radiocarbon, 63(3), 885–903. https://doi.org/10.1017/rdc.2021.19