Papers by Sinem Hacıosmanoğlu
This study presents the results of a comprehensive multi-analytical investigations of clay deposi... more This study presents the results of a comprehensive multi-analytical investigations of clay deposits from the Ceyhan Plain in Eastern Cilicia, Southern Turkey, aimed at establishing a robust framework for provenance studies of ancient ceramics in the region. A total of 52 clay samples were systematically collected and analyzed using optical microscopy for petrography (OM), X-Ray powder diffraction for mineral phase analysis (XRPD), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for geochemical (LA-ICP-MS), and geographic information systems for Geospatial Analysis (GIS) to examine the compositional characteristics and define reference clay groups for archaeometric research. Briquette samples were prepared from the collected clay to facilitate direct geochemical and petrographic comparisons with archaeological ceramics and clay-based artifacts. The results demonstrate that the clay deposits are predominantly calcareous, with contribution from mafic rocks and minor input from ultramafic sources. The compositional diversity is primarily shaped by sedimentation processes associated with the Ceyhan River, while smaller drainage systems influence localized variations. Four distinct clay reference groups were identified: the Ceyhan River Clay Group, ˙Imamoglu-Kozan Clay Group, Kadirli-Savrun Clay group, and Osmaniye-Ilıksu Clay Group. These groups serve as reference materials for comparative studies of ancient ceramics enabling deeper insights into local ceramic production strategies and exchange networks within the Eastern Cilicia Plain and its surroundings. They also serve as essential materials for provenance analyses of ceramics and other clay-based artifacts in broader regional contexts, including the Mediterranean, Anatolia, and the Levant. The study further underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the integration of excavation data with landscape and systematic raw material analysis to achieve a more nuanced understanding of ancient production strategies and resource management.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2023
This paper discusses the results of an archaeometric analysis carried out on undecorated Late Cha... more This paper discusses the results of an archaeometric analysis carried out on undecorated Late Chalcolithic ceramics from Valencina de la Concepción, which is one of the largest and most important Chalcolithic settlements in the southern Iberian Peninsula. The purpose of the study is to contribute to the debate on the socioeconomic organization and exchange networks of the site during the third millennium BCE in the Lower Guadalquivir Basin. Petrographic and chemical analysis by LA-ICP-MS of compressed ultrafine powder pellets were used to analyze selected ceramic samples (n = 42) from Valencina and reference clay samples (n = 62) from different locations in the Aljarafe plateau. This study sheds light on possible raw material sources, the choice strategy of raw materials, and certain aspects of production technologies employed for Late Chalcolithic ceramics found at Valencina de la Concepción. The archaeometric analysis revealed that a significant portion of the ceramics, especially plates and platters manufactured primarily using coarse clays, are largely non-local production. However, there was also a limited availability of local production. This study emphasizes the central role of Valencina in the exchange network of the Lower Guadalquivir Basin during the Late Chalcolithic period. This study further demonstrates the wide variety of clay resources available throughout the Aljarafe region and provides solid reference material for further archaeometric analyses of ancient ceramic materials in this region.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022
The period from the Late Bronze Age (c. 1550-1190 BCE) to the Iron Age (c. 1190-330 BCE) in the e... more The period from the Late Bronze Age (c. 1550-1190 BCE) to the Iron Age (c. 1190-330 BCE) in the eastern Mediterranean is characterized by upheavals in political and socioeconomic structures, accompanied by changes in material culture such as pottery production. Plain Ware is one of the most common pottery types found in Plain Cilicia in southern Anatolia during the Late Bronze and the Iron Ages and displays typological and stylistic variations during these periods. In this work, we examined the Plain Ware from Sirkeli Höyük, one of the key settlements in Plain Cilicia, using petrographic, mineralogical (XRPD), microtextural (SEM-EDX), and chemical analysis (LA-ICP-MS). The main objective is to determine the source of raw materials and to investigate Plain Ware production including clay procurement, clay processing, and firing techniques. Our archaeometric results suggest that the vessels were produced from calcareous clay available in the Ceyhan Plain. We have observed continuity in the methods of Plain Ware production from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age with a minor change in the Iron Age.
The Archaeology of Anatolia, 2021
Sirkeli Höyük is one of the largest Bronze and Iron Age sites in Plain Cilicia (Greek Kilikia Ped... more Sirkeli Höyük is one of the largest Bronze and Iron Age sites in Plain Cilicia (Greek Kilikia Pedias, Latin Cilicia Campestris), a fertile, water-rich, alluvial landscape in the south of present-day Turkey. The region was known under various names during the Bronze and Iron Ages: Kawa, Kizzuwatna, Hiyawa, Qawa, Que. Situated at the interface of larger neighbouring regions like Anatolia, Syro-Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Cyprus, its status changed several times. At different times, it represented either an independent principality, a vassal state, or an integral part of great empires like those of the Hittites, the Mittani, the Assyrians, or the Babylonians. As one of the key sites in Cilicia, the research at Sirkeli Höyük aims at shedding light on the colourful cultural history and material expressions of this region.
K.A. Yener and T. Ingman, Alalakh and its Neighbours. Proceedings of the 15th Anniversary Symposium at the New Hatay Archaeology Museum, 10-12 June 2015, 2020
This paper deals with connections between Cyprus and Alalakh in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages i... more This paper deals with connections between Cyprus and Alalakh in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages in terms of different types of evidence (textual, archaeological and archaeometric), as they provide complementary information. These projects and ongoing studies are presented with some preliminary results. Although written documents with reference to Alašia are few in number, they show that people from Alašia were living in Alalakh by at least Level VII. Pottery is the main source of information for this article, because it is plentiful and informative. It is being studied by means of typological, stratigraphical and contextual criteria. In this respect, the initiation, phases and end of connections with Cyprus can be examined accordingly. Moreover, archaeometric analysis (both elemental and mineralogical) have been conducted in order to trace back to the raw material from the finished product. One of the aims of archaeometric analysis is to define the characteristics of clay through instrumental analyses, in addition to archaeological definitions. Another important aim is to contribute to provenance studies with respect to defining the regions in Cyprus from which the clay sources and other materials came.
Archaeometry 60, 2018
White Slip ware, both White Slip I and II, and Monochrome ware are Middle to Late Bronze Age Cypr... more White Slip ware, both White Slip I and II, and Monochrome ware are Middle to Late Bronze Age Cypriot pottery types found across a large area of the Eastern Mediterranean region. A vast quantity of these wares has also been uncovered in Tell Atchana/ancient Alalakh in Hatay in southern Anatolia. We analysed a total of 56 White Slip (n = 36) and Monochrome potsherds (n = 20) from Tell Atchana using XRF, ICP-MS and petrographic thin-section methods. The main aim of the study was to explore the compositional characteristics of the wares and to determine whether they are local imitations of the Cypriot White Slip and Monochrome wares or represent Cypriot exports to this region. The analytical results proved that White Slip I and II were produced from raw clay of mafic and ultramafic source rocks exposed in the Troodos Massif, available in the Limassol area of southern Cyprus and traded to Tell Atchana. Examples of Monochrome ware excavated in Tell Atchana were also imported to the region, most probably from east/north-east Cyprus. These results demonstrate a close trading connection between Tell Atchana/Alalakh and southern Cyprus during the Middle to Late Bronze Age.
Applied Clay Science, 2017
Clay-rich deposits of the Amuq Valley (Southern Turkey) were investigated using chemical methods ... more Clay-rich deposits of the Amuq Valley (Southern Turkey) were investigated using chemical methods to explore compositional characteristics of the clays within the valley and for distinguish chemical groups that can be used as reference materials in archaeometric studies of the ancient ceramic materials in this region. A total of 63 clay samples were collected from different spots throughout the valley and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. Analytical results demonstrated that the clay-rich basin deposits show compositional variation both in strati-graphic and spatial levels. Parent rocks exposed within the catchment area of the basin deposit (transported to the basin through the main drainage systems of the Orontes, Afrin, and Karasu Rivers), seems to be one of the major factors affecting the compositional characteristics of the basin deposits. Four different geochemical reference groups were identified: the Orontes clay group, Afrin clay group, Karasu clay group and Kırıkhan clay group. Established reference groups provide opportunities for a better understanding of the local ceramic production and the exchange pattern within the valley and between the adjacent regions.
Conference Presentations by Sinem Hacıosmanoğlu
European Meeting on Ancient Ceramics - EMAC , 2019
Sirkeli Höyük is one of the largest settlements in Cilician Plain (modern Ceyhan Plain) located i... more Sirkeli Höyük is one of the largest settlements in Cilician Plain (modern Ceyhan Plain) located in South Anatolia. The site was inhabited from Chalcolithic (ca. 5000 BC) to the Hellenistic period (300 – 100 BC). Bronze and Iron Age layers are the most substantial occupations of the settlement. In addition, the materials play a key role in not only in chronological and historical investigations but also in understanding the cultural relations of Cilicia with Central Anatolia and the neighbouring regions including Cyprus. Among various wares, Plain ware is chosen for this study as it is the most common and characteristic ware of Late Bronze and Iron Ages.
In this paper we will report results of archaeometric analysis carried out on Plain (n=50) and Drab ware (n=10) from Sirkeli Höyük as well as local clay samples collected from the Ceyhan Plain. The aim is to identify the possible clay sources of the ware and to explore its production technologies throughout Bronze and Iron Ages to examine continuations and/or discontinuations in these aspects. To this end, we used LA-ICP-MS (Laser Ablation Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectroscopy) for elemental analysis, Petrography, XRD (X-ray diffraction) and (SEM) Scanning Electron Microscope techniques for identification of mineralogical composition and textural analysis of the samples. As a result, this paper reports about the identified possible clay sources and production technologies of Plain Ware together with the variations occurring due to chronological, geographical and geological factors.
The Late Bronze Age Cypriot Monochrome ware (MOC ware) was an important commodity of Cypriot comm... more The Late Bronze Age Cypriot Monochrome ware (MOC ware) was an important commodity of Cypriot community, traded to a vast area in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Classical and Provincial Roman Archaeology by Sinem Hacıosmanoğlu
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Papers by Sinem Hacıosmanoğlu
Conference Presentations by Sinem Hacıosmanoğlu
In this paper we will report results of archaeometric analysis carried out on Plain (n=50) and Drab ware (n=10) from Sirkeli Höyük as well as local clay samples collected from the Ceyhan Plain. The aim is to identify the possible clay sources of the ware and to explore its production technologies throughout Bronze and Iron Ages to examine continuations and/or discontinuations in these aspects. To this end, we used LA-ICP-MS (Laser Ablation Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectroscopy) for elemental analysis, Petrography, XRD (X-ray diffraction) and (SEM) Scanning Electron Microscope techniques for identification of mineralogical composition and textural analysis of the samples. As a result, this paper reports about the identified possible clay sources and production technologies of Plain Ware together with the variations occurring due to chronological, geographical and geological factors.
Classical and Provincial Roman Archaeology by Sinem Hacıosmanoğlu