Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis of the Nyrlugos obsidian core depot find

Journal of Lithic Studies

Katalin T. Bir¹  Zoltn Kis²  Zsolt Kasztovszky² 

[1] Hungarian National Museum, Budapest;Nuclear Analysis and Radiography Department, MTA Centre for Energy Research, Budapest

关键词: obsidian, depot find, Hungary, Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis;   

学科分类：地球科学(综合)

来源: University of Edinburgh * School of History, Classics and Archaeology

【 摘 要 】

The Nyrlugos obsidian core depot find is one of the most important lithic assemblages in the collection of the Hungarian National Museum (HNM). The original set comprised 12 giant obsidian cores, of which 11 are currently on the permanent archaeological exhibition of the HNM. One of the cores is known to be inDebrecen. The first publication attributed the hoard, on the strength of giant (flint) blades known from the Early and Middle Copper Age Tiszapolgr and Bodrogkeresztr cultures, to the Copper Age. In the light of recent finds it is more likely to belong to the Middle Neolithic period. The source area was defined as Tokaj Mts., about100 kmto the NW from Nyrlugos. The size and beauty of the exceptional pieces exclude any invasive analysis. Using Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA), we can measure major chemical components and some key trace elements of stone artefacts with adequate accuracy to successfully determine provenance of obsidian. Recent methodological development also facilitated the study of relatively large objects like the Nyrlugos cores. The cores were individually measured by PGAA. The results show that the cores originate from the Carpathian 1 sources, most probably the Viniky variety (C1b). The study of the hoard as a batch is an important contribution to the assessment of prehistoric trade and allows us to reconsider the so-called Carpathian, especially Carpathian 1 (Slovakian) sources.

【 授权许可】

CC BY