Preliminary X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Metallic Samples from the Chovdar Necropolis in Azerbaijan

Abstract

Several samples coming from the recently discovered (February 2019) Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age Chovdar necropolis in Azerbaijan were analysed using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. The analysis allowed a preliminary classification of the samples in eight groups based on their composition, obtained from the XRF spectra using the fundamental parameter method. A more detailed classification was then obtained using the graph clustering method.

The Late Bronze-Early Iron Age Monument in the High Mountain Area of the Little Caucasus: Chovdar Necropolis

“…Chowdar village of Dashkasa is located on the northern slope of Chowdar mountain at an altitude of 1733 m. Stone box graves were found during mining construction works in the ore processing area of "Azer Gold" CJSC operating in the village of Chovdar. In 2019 [1] and 2021 [2], archeologists of ANAS Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography and Anthropology were sent to the region. During the rescue excavations, 156 stone box graves were opened in 2019 and 58 in 2021 and involved in research.…”

“…The metal product consists of 10 chemical elements. Until now, 8 elements were known to be used for late bronze early iron age metal [7]. In addition, a horse burial was observed in the necropolis.…”