Identification and origin of bitumen in Neolithic artefacts from Demirkoy Hoyuk (8100 BC): Comparison with oil seeps and crude oils from southeastern Turkey

Abstract

Two ring-like artefacts from the aceramic Neolithic site of Demirkoy Hoyuk in southeastern Turkey were analysed using geochemical techniques in order to determine whether they were prepared using a bitumen amalgam or not. The artefacts, dated 8 100 BC, are early evidence of the innovative use of a petroleum-based material to prepare pieces of ornaments (beads, rings, etc.) for the elite of a Neolithic settlement. In order to trace the source of the presumed bitumen, two oil seeps, Bogazkoy and Yesilli, were sampled. To complete the genetic references, geochemical data on crude oils from the main oil fields from the area were compiled.