The bitumen of Tell Brak from the Middle Uruk (c.3500 BC) to Late Bronze Age (c.1280 BC): origin and trade routes
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: 13 archaeological samples, dated from the Middle Uruk period (c.3500BC) to the Late Bronze age (c.1280 BC), were analyzed by geochemical techniques in order to identify bitumen and to attempt to find its origin.Extracts do show that the samples are characteristic archaeological bitumens.Bitumens of Tell Brak were compared to some other archaeological asphalts, to crude oils and natural asphalts.Utilization of carbon isotopes on asphaltenes and biomarkers namely steranes and terpanes allowed us to identify two main areas of bitumen supply, Hit on one side along the Euphrate river, northern Iraq on the other side.
Author: Jacques Connan
Institution: Université de Strasbourg
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2907768357