Research historical background
Initiated after the excavation of Cafer Höyük directed by J. Cauvin and O. Aurenche between 1979 and 1984, the collaboration between Nur Balkan-Atlı (Istanbul University, Department of Prehistory) and Marie-Claire Cauvin (IPO/Jalès) is at the origin of the development of researches on the diffusion of obsidian in the Near-East. The central Anatolian and eastern Anatolian sources were the main focus but the questions relative to Caucasian sources were as well approached notably with Ch. Chataignier (UMR 5133/Lyon). This dynamic lead to a pioneering collective publication in 1998 and since then an extensive scientific literature. On the field, it lead to the excavation of the Kömürcü-Kaletepe workshop by N. Balkan-Atlı et D.Binder (Mission Française de Préhistoire Anatolienne) and to the excavation of the paleolithic site of Kaletepe-Deresi 3, discovered by L. Slimak (TRACES, Toulouse). It is as a tradition, now, Aksel Tibet and Nur Balkan-Atlı organize seminars on Prehistory every year in IFEA.
Current fielwork are in process in central Anatolia with the research program ‘Göllüdağ Obsidiyen Araştırmaları’ is lead by Nur Balkan-Atlı (Istanbul University) and a Turkish team with a participation of American and French scholars (University of Arizona and IFEA). A cartography of the obsidian sources on the Göllüdağ and Nenezidağ volcanic complexes is on process. Geological samples are collected and chemical analyses conducted on the volcanic glasses (IRAMAT, Orléans). It will allow a better understanding of the modes of the diffusion of this raw material. Our aim is then to recognize and study workshops, stations or settlements near the obsidian sources. Survey has been conducted since 2007 on the Küçük and Büyük Göllüdağ and will continue in the future, including the Nenezidağ area. The obtained results already thrown new light on obsidian procurement at the immediate proximity of the sources.