Chert raw materials and artefacts from NE Bulgaria: A combined petrographic and LA-ICP-MS study

<p class="abstract">In the present study two analytical methods are applied to characterize chert artefacts and raw materials from northeastern Bulgaria (Ludogorie region): petrographic observation and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). Archaeological sampl...

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Main Authors: Polina Andreeva, Elitsa Stefanova, Maria Gurova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Edinburgh 2014-09-01
Series:Journal of Lithic Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudies/article/view/1129
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spelling doaj-b101c4e58e884d778d9b0dfeab2e36522020-11-24T23:40:54ZengUniversity of EdinburghJournal of Lithic Studies2055-04722014-09-0112254510.2218/jls.v1i2.1129867Chert raw materials and artefacts from NE Bulgaria: A combined petrographic and LA-ICP-MS studyPolina Andreeva0Elitsa Stefanova1Maria Gurova2Geological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of SciencesGeological Institute, Bulgarian Academy of SciencesNational Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences<p class="abstract">In the present study two analytical methods are applied to characterize chert artefacts and raw materials from northeastern Bulgaria (Ludogorie region): petrographic observation and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). Archaeological samples from 12 Chalcolithic sites from Bulgaria are analyzed as well as raw material from 6 outcrops in northeastern Bulgaria are identified and documented during a survey in 2012 when many raw material samples were collected. The chert raw material mostly occurs in various Quaternary secondary deposits, originating from destruction and disintegration of the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) limestones in the area. The paper is aimed at tracing the provenance of the artefacts based on their petrographic characteristics and geochemical composition. The archaeological evidence shows a wide distribution of the Ludogorie chert throughout the country.</p><p class="abstract">On the basis of micropetrographic observations, Gurova and Nachev (2008) described two main chert types (Ravno and Kriva Reka). Our petrographic study confirmed the previous results and an additional chert type was distinguished, originating from primary and secondary deposits (quarries in Koprivetz and Krasen villages) and is represented by silicified limestones (bioclastic-peloidal packstones or grainstones). It is noteworthy that the first two types of chert were largely used for prehistoric artefact manufacturing while the last one is not attested among studied assemblages at all.</p>http://journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudies/article/view/1129Chalcolithicnortheastern BulgariaLudogorieRavnoKriva RekapetrogpahyLA-ICP-MSsuper-bladesworkshops
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Polina Andreeva
Elitsa Stefanova
Maria Gurova
spellingShingle Polina Andreeva
Elitsa Stefanova
Maria Gurova
Chert raw materials and artefacts from NE Bulgaria: A combined petrographic and LA-ICP-MS study
Journal of Lithic Studies
Chalcolithic
northeastern Bulgaria
Ludogorie
Ravno
Kriva Reka
petrogpahy
LA-ICP-MS
super-blades
workshops
author_facet Polina Andreeva
Elitsa Stefanova
Maria Gurova
author_sort Polina Andreeva
title Chert raw materials and artefacts from NE Bulgaria: A combined petrographic and LA-ICP-MS study
title_short Chert raw materials and artefacts from NE Bulgaria: A combined petrographic and LA-ICP-MS study
title_full Chert raw materials and artefacts from NE Bulgaria: A combined petrographic and LA-ICP-MS study
title_fullStr Chert raw materials and artefacts from NE Bulgaria: A combined petrographic and LA-ICP-MS study
title_full_unstemmed Chert raw materials and artefacts from NE Bulgaria: A combined petrographic and LA-ICP-MS study
title_sort chert raw materials and artefacts from ne bulgaria: a combined petrographic and la-icp-ms study
publisher University of Edinburgh
series Journal of Lithic Studies
issn 2055-0472
publishDate 2014-09-01
description <p class="abstract">In the present study two analytical methods are applied to characterize chert artefacts and raw materials from northeastern Bulgaria (Ludogorie region): petrographic observation and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). Archaeological samples from 12 Chalcolithic sites from Bulgaria are analyzed as well as raw material from 6 outcrops in northeastern Bulgaria are identified and documented during a survey in 2012 when many raw material samples were collected. The chert raw material mostly occurs in various Quaternary secondary deposits, originating from destruction and disintegration of the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) limestones in the area. The paper is aimed at tracing the provenance of the artefacts based on their petrographic characteristics and geochemical composition. The archaeological evidence shows a wide distribution of the Ludogorie chert throughout the country.</p><p class="abstract">On the basis of micropetrographic observations, Gurova and Nachev (2008) described two main chert types (Ravno and Kriva Reka). Our petrographic study confirmed the previous results and an additional chert type was distinguished, originating from primary and secondary deposits (quarries in Koprivetz and Krasen villages) and is represented by silicified limestones (bioclastic-peloidal packstones or grainstones). It is noteworthy that the first two types of chert were largely used for prehistoric artefact manufacturing while the last one is not attested among studied assemblages at all.</p>
topic Chalcolithic
northeastern Bulgaria
Ludogorie
Ravno
Kriva Reka
petrogpahy
LA-ICP-MS
super-blades
workshops
url http://journals.ed.ac.uk/lithicstudies/article/view/1129
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AT elitsastefanova chertrawmaterialsandartefactsfromnebulgariaacombinedpetrographicandlaicpmsstudy
AT mariagurova chertrawmaterialsandartefactsfromnebulgariaacombinedpetrographicandlaicpmsstudy
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