A geochemical study of bitumen residues on ceramics excavated from Early Bronze age graves (3000–2900 BCE) at Başur Höyük in SE Turkey

Connan, Jacques; Kavak, Orhan; Sağlamtimur, Haluk; Engel, Michael H.; Zumberge, Alex; Zumberge, John E.

doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2017.09.007

Cited by 9 publications

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“…In the past and recent literature [ 12 , 28 , 29 ], δ 13 C sat and δ 13 C aro have also been used to find the provenance of archaeological bitumen samples. These measurements were performed on PB, RO and SE samples: Table 1 lists both δ 13 C sat and δ 13 C aro and Figure 1 a shows the resulting graph.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As documented in all previous studies of archaeological bitumen since the pioneering works of Connan [ 3 , 8 , 9 ], molecular tools, especially sterane and terpane distribution patterns, have been used to determine the origin of the bitumen [ 1 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Bulk stable carbon and deuterium isotope analyses [ 23 , 24 ], and the isotopic ratio of saturated, aromatic and asphaltene fractions [ 2 , 8 , 12 , 16 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], have also been used for bitumen provenance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New Evidence on the Reliable Use of Stable Isotopes of Bitumen Fractions in Archaeological Research

Pennetta

Benedetto

2023

Molecules

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One of the goals of archaeological studies is to determine how material goods and ideas moved among human populations, and bitumen is a worthy proxy because it has been used since prehistory. As a result, when bitumen is excavated from archaeological sites, determining its provenance is important because it sheds light on the trade and communication of populations at a given time. During the study of archaeological bitumen from coastal sites in central and southern Puglia (Italy), we observed that stable isotope ratios of saturated and aromatic fractions were incompatible with those obtained from asphaltenes, supporting the absorption of a foreign substance. Experiments showed that lipids are absorbed by bitumen and, in the case of oils, are distributed mainly in the saturated and aromatic fractions as their isotopic ratios change. The same experiments showed that the isotopic ratios of the asphaltenes do not change. Lipid absorption on the archaeological bitumen may have occurred before the bitumen was applied to the pottery, during the use of the pottery or while underground, before being excavated. These hypotheses are discussed, and it is concluded that the isotopic ratio of asphaltenes is a reliable proxy for provenance, whereas those of the saturated and aromatic fractions should be considered with caution due to possible lipid absorption. Nevertheless, they provide new information on pottery use that can be used in archaeological chemistry.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%