Lithic Industries and Socio-Economic Dynamics in Northern Mesopotamia: Technological and Archaeometric Insights from Early Complex Societies

This research investigates the socio-economic dynamics and technical specialization of lithic industries in the Navkur and Erbil Plains in Iraqi Kurdistan and in the Upper Euphrates region in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, during the early Late Chalcolithic period, 5th to early 4th millennium BCE. The poster delves into a techno-functional analysis of lithic artifacts, primarily chert and obsidian, from Asingeran, Arslantepe, and Gird-i Matrab. These settlements belong to distinct yet interconnected regions within Northern Mesopotamia, a key area for the emergence of complex societies. The study emphasizes technological typology and archaeometric analyses, particularly through XRF, to trace the provenance of raw material, especially of obsidian artefacts. A primary aim is to understand craft production organization, lithics procurement strategies, labor organization, and the socio-economic shifts that contributed to the establishment of complex societies in greater Northern Mesopotamia. Expected insights include identifying specialization, standardization, and interregional connections in lithic production, enhancing our understanding of socio-economic interactions between the Upper Euphrates and the Trans-Tigridan regions.