Long considered an isolated and exceptional tomb of an elite, the so-called ‘Royal Tomb’ at Arslantepe has proven to be representative of a geographically widespread phenomenon of ‘élite tombs’ at the end of the 4th millennium BC in the Upper Euphrates and Tigris valleys in Anatolia. They are characterised by burials in stone-lined cists, containing an abundance of grave goods, especially including metal artefacts. Basing on comparisons with the richly furnished tombs in Hassek Höyük and Bashur Höyuk, the tomb in Arslantepe is shown to be an example of such high-rank burials. Further, they are indicative of large scale changes, including the introduction of new social structures and value-systems, which in turn mark the beginning of the Early Bronze Age.
The ‘Royal Tomb’ at Arslantepe and the 3rd Millennium BC in Upper Mesopotamia
Giulio Palumbi
2021-01-01
Abstract
Long considered an isolated and exceptional tomb of an elite, the so-called ‘Royal Tomb’ at Arslantepe has proven to be representative of a geographically widespread phenomenon of ‘élite tombs’ at the end of the 4th millennium BC in the Upper Euphrates and Tigris valleys in Anatolia. They are characterised by burials in stone-lined cists, containing an abundance of grave goods, especially including metal artefacts. Basing on comparisons with the richly furnished tombs in Hassek Höyük and Bashur Höyuk, the tomb in Arslantepe is shown to be an example of such high-rank burials. Further, they are indicative of large scale changes, including the introduction of new social structures and value-systems, which in turn mark the beginning of the Early Bronze Age.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
