Changes in the Near Eastern chronology between the 5th and the 3rd millennium BC: New AMS 14C dates from Arslantepe (Turkey)

Abstract

In recent years the chronological framework provided by the AMS 14C dating has had a great impact on archaeological studies in the Near East, also affecting the previous synchronization of cultural events across the Mediterranean region. Here we present a consistent set of 14C dates from the site of Arslantepe (Turkey) between the 5th and the 3rd millennium BC. A total of 86 samples of charred wood remains were previously dated by the beta counting method, already providing a general framing to this exceptionally long sequence. However, the stratigraphy of building levels still needed a more accurate analysis, distinguishing sub-phases within the occupational periods. 13 new samples of mainly charred seeds and fruits from the Late Chalcolithic to the Early Bronze I levels have been dated by means of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) A tendency towards older radiocarbon ages is recorded. The new site chronology dates the post-Ubaid levels during the mid-5th millennium BC, well corresponding to the Late Chalcolithic cultures of northern Mesopotamia. The last phases of the Late Chalcolithic were found in quick succession between 3600 and 3200 years BC, confirming the correlation with the Late Uruk culture in southern Mesopotamia. Lastly, the Early Bronze Age I levels appear to be earlier than the previous beta counting chronology. This indicates that the events following the collapse of the Late Chalcolithic Arslantepe society all belong to a very short period of time.