A tale of volcanic rocks: life histories of grinding stones from Bronze Age Kaymakçı

Abstract

Life history processes embedded in archaeological artefacts reveal individual phases of artefact life cycles as well as associated sociocultural aspects of communities. In this paper, the life histories of the macrolithic assemblage from Kaymakçı are explored. Active during the 2nd millennium BCE in western Anatolia, Kaymakçı became a major fortified citadel. People here privileged local interests when procuring stone and in the manufacturing of these artefacts; as follows, we offer insights into the significance of their life histories at Kaymakçı. Importantly the local histories of ground stone complement other assemblages more indicative of external influences, such as those from the Aegean (Mycenaean/Minoan) or central Anatolia (Hittite). Here we present for the first time Kaymakçı’s robust grinding stone assemblage of ca. 300 samples, all from excavated contexts. Our data demonstrates that volcanic stones were procured from within a wider catchment, with sources located as far away as ca. 50 km from Kaymakçı. Contextual and spatial data indicate the clustering of these objects in the urban spaces of the citadel. Significantly, life histories are revealed in the careful documentation of design and technologies, specific choices in ergonomic adjustments, reuse, and disposal.