The Origin of Obsidian in Predynastic and Early Dynastic Upper Egypt

Laurent Bavay · Thierry De Putter · Barbara Adams · Jacques Navez · Luc André

20 citations0/0 files storedDépôt institutionnel de l'Université libre de Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

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Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis Mineralogy and Gemology Studies Ancient Egypt and Archaeology

Abstract

The determination of the origin of obsidian found in Egypt constitutes an important problem for the study of exchanges and long distance relations, since potential sources are relatively numerous and situated in the Near East as well as in East Africa. The paper presents the results of LA-ICP-MS trace element analyses carried out on 11 obsidian objects of Predynastic and Early Dynastic date from Qaw el-Kebir, Abydos, Naqada and Hierakonpolis. The geochemical composition of all samples corresponds to the African Rift volcanic system, including the Ethiopian ans South Arabian sources. The question of the procurement of the sone is discussed and it is suggested that the Red Sea and the wadis of the Eastern Desert represent the most probable route to the Nile Valley, although the rarity of this material probably indicates very sporadic contacts rather than established trade relations.

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2020The provenance of obsidian artefacts from the Middle Kingdom harbour of Mersa/Wadi Gawasis, Egypt, and its implications for Red Sea trade routes in the 2nd millennium BC

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