Work

The Origin of Obsidian in Predynastic and Early Dynastic Upper Egypt

Year: 2000

Type: article

Abstract: The determination of the origin of obsidian found in Egypt constitutes an important problem for the study of exchanges and long distance relations, since potential sources are relatively numerous and situated in the Near East as well as in East Africa. The paper presents the results of LA-ICP-MS trace element analyses carried out on 11 obsidian objects of Predynastic and Early Dynastic date from Qaw el-Kebir, Abydos, Naqada and Hierakonpolis. The geochemical composition of all samples corresponds to the African Rift volcanic system, including the Ethiopian ans South Arabian sources. The question of the procurement of the sone is discussed and it is suggested that the Red Sea and the wadis of the Eastern Desert represent the most probable route to the Nile Valley, although the rarity of this material probably indicates very sporadic contacts rather than established trade relations.

Source: Dépôt institutionnel de l'Université libre de Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

Authors: Laurent Bavay, Thierry De Putter, Barbara Adams, Jacques Navez, Luc André

Language: German

Topic: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1511059282

FWCI:

Cites:

Cited by: 20

Related to: 10