Sumaki Höyük (Batman, Türkiye) Neolitik Yerleşiminde Bulunan Bazalt Parçalarının Çok Perspektifli Jeokimyasal ve Mineralojik Analizi

Abstract

This study aims to determine the provenance of grinding stone tools unearthed from the Neolithic phases of Sumaki Höyük settlement using a portable Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (P-EDXRF) and X-ray Diffraction spectrometer (XRD). Sumaki Höyük is located in the Lower Garzan Basin of Batman province, Turkey. The settlement is dated to 9084 - 8123 cal BP. Grinding stone tools in this settlement are usually made of basalt. Albeit at low amounts, limestone was also used in the production of grinding stones. The Lower Garzan Basin, located to the east of Diyarbakır Basin, is surrounded by Mount Kıradağı and Mount Raman to the west and the Garzan and Kentalan Anticlinal to the east with Kıradağı extending in a northwest-southeast direction. The basalt flow occurred in the Quaternary period. Samples collected from different parts of the Neolithic phase of Sumaki Höyük and the Kıradağı basalt flows were analyzed using P-EDXRF to determine their chemical composition. The same samples were also analyzed using XRD to determine their mineral composition. P-EDXRF and XRD analyses reveal that the samples from Sumaki Höyük and Kıradağı are in good accordance with each other. It is therefore understood that the basalt stone tools used in the settlement were taken from the Kıradağı basalts. Data gathered on the characteristics of potential source locations provide an insight into the settlement strategy and mobility of Neolithic communities.