The beginning of the Late Chalcolithic occupation at Arslantepe, Malatya

This article presents the preliminary results of the ongoing excavations of the Period VIII occupation levels at Arslantepe, the only site so far known within the Oriental Taurus range to display extensive architectural exposures dated to the initial Late Chalcolithic period (second half of the 5th millennium BCE). A classification of the ceramic assemblage is given, which aims at casting light on the cultural relations of the Malatya plain with neighbouring regions, as well as at constructing a relative chronology for this period. The occupation of Period VIII at Arslantepe so far appears to be mainly domestic in character, with interesting activity areas, which are discussed below. The hallmark of the ceramic production during Period VIII is the dark-coloured Scraped Ware, apparently linking Malatya to the southwest (Oylum Höyük), while suggesting very limited contacts with the eastern neighbours of the Elazığ region.