Evaluaiton of metal artifacts belonging to the Karaz Culture and the Late Bronze age/Early Iron age found in the Pulur Höyük excavations
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: A total of five metal artifacts were uncovered during the 2021-2025 excavations at Pulur Höyük in the Eastern Anatolia Region. These metal artifacts were uncovered from layers dating to the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age, the Karaz culture/Early Bronze Age I, and the Karaz culture/Late Chalcolithic Age. These artifacts, which have various functions ranging from ornamental objects to war tools, from agricultural activities to daily use, are important because they provide information on the use of metal artifacts and metal resources, as well as trade, in the early periods at Pulur Höyük. The Erzurum Regional Laboratory Directorate of Restoration and Conservation also conducted XRF analyses on metal artifacts uncovered from layers confirmed by radiocarbon dates, clarifying their metallic properties. While it is known that mining in Eastern Anatolia in the early periods yielded considerable wealth, our knowledge of the use of metal artifacts by the Karaz culture and Early Iron Age peoples who lived before the Urartu remains limited. This article aims to contribute to the studies in the field of metallurgy in Anatolian archaeology by evaluating and comparing the metal artifacts obtained during the ongoing excavations at Erzurum-Pulur Höyük.
Authors: Rabia Akarsu, Abdulhadi Durukan
Institutions: Atatürk University, Kafkas University
Language: Turkish
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7212425913