Towards an absolute chronology of early Mesopotamia : a radiocarbon perspective
The region of Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day southern Iraq, saw a number of important socio-cultural transformations during the 4<sup>th</sup> - 3<sup>rd</sup> millennia BC, which led to the emergence of the world's first urban, literate civilisation. These crucial developments reverberated across the neighbouring regions and greatly contributed to the later Classical and Judaeo-Christian traditions. Despite the importance of this period, our understanding of its chronology is limited. The main aim of this thesis is to build a reliable absolute chronology for the Uruk, Early Dynastic, and Akkadian periods in Mesopotamia using radiocarbon (<sup>14</sup>C) dating. Radiocarbon dates published in the archaeological literature underwent a thorough evaluation in order to ensure that only reliable measurements were included in the analysis. New dates were produced for the periods and contexts most lacking in radiocarbon data. Archaeological and textual sources were used to create Bayesian models in order to produce even more precise time estimates. The resulting periodisation of Mesopotamia was compared to the contemporary cultural sequences of ancient Iran and the Syrian Jezirah. While corroborating the standard
Wencel, Maciej Mateusz
Jezirah ; Mesopotamia ; Iran ; Bayesian ; radiocarbon ; archaeology
Towards an absolute chronology of early Mesopotamia : a radiocarbon perspective. The region of Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day southern Iraq, saw a number of important socio-cultural transformations during the 4<sup>th</sup> - 3<sup>rd</sup> millennia BC, which led to the emergence of the world's first urban, literate civilisation. These crucial developments reverberated across the neighbouring regions and greatly contributed to the later Classical and Judaeo-Christian traditions. Despite the importance of this period, our understanding of its chronology is limited. The main aim of this thesis is to build a reliable absolute chronology for the Uruk, Early Dynastic, and Akkadian periods in Mesopotamia using radiocarbon (<sup>14</sup>C) dating. Radiocarbon dates published in the archaeological literature underwent a thorough evaluation in order to ensure that only reliable measurements were included in the analysis. New dates were produced for the periods and contexts most lacking in radiocarbon data. Archaeological and textual sources were used to create Bayesian models in order to produce even more precise time estimates. The resulting periodisation of Mesopotamia was compared to the contemporary cultural sequences of ancient Iran and the Syrian Jezirah. While corroborating the standard
towards absolute_chronology early mesopotamia radiocarbon perspective region southern_mesopotamia modern_day southern iraq saw number_important socio_cultural transformation millennium lead_emergence world first urban literate civilisation crucial_development reverberate across neighbour_region greatly contribute later classical judaeo_christian tradition despite_importance period chronology limit main_aim build reliable absolute_chronology uruk early dynastic akkadian period mesopotamia use_radiocarbon dating radiocarbon_date publish archaeological literature underwent thorough evaluation order ensure reliable measurement include analysis new date produce period context lack radiocarbon data archaeological_textual source_use create bayesian_model order_produce even precise time estimate result periodisation mesopotamia compare contemporary cultural sequence ancient iran syrian corroborate standard