Mobile or stationary? Chemical analysis of clay administrative devices from Tell Brak in the Late Uruk period. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pittman, Holly; Blackman, M. James
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 7(2016)
• Page Start: 877
• Page End: 883
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Glyptic Art -- Late Uruk expansion -- INAA -- Administration -- Long distance trade -- Tell Brak -- Hacınebi Tepe; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.03.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: One of the most diagnostic artifact types of the Uruk expansion is the impressions of cylinder seals on clay administrative devices which served to secure packages of commodities or to mark documents. Regardless of their findspot, the stylistic and iconographic isomorphy of the seal imagery, as well as the identity of the functional types, strongly suggest that as an artifact type the glyptic art and associated administrative practices derive from a single cultural source, which is understood to have its origins in the southern alluvium. Chemical characterization of the clay on which seals have been impressed has been undertaken by Blackman on samples from various sites to determine whether local or nonlocal clays were used in these administrative processes. Newly presented here are the instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) results for Late Uruk sealings from excavations at Tell Brak, one of the major Late Uruk sites in the Jezira. Pittman contextualizes these results within larger universe of Late Uruk administration. The results are consistent with our understanding that most administrative activity at Late Uruk sites was a local affair and that the uniformity of imagery and administrative function over such a large geographic region cannot be understood as solely the result of the movement of goods. Highlights: Thirty-three INAA clay sealings were examined from the Late Uruk horizon at Tell Brak. Twenty-five clay samples were made from clays local to Tell Brak. Eight clay samples were identified as outliers. The clay of one outlier is closely comparable to clays from Susa. Hacınebi is the other site that has clay sealings closely comparable to Susa. The majority of sealing activity at Brak in the Late Uruk is local to the site.