Prehistoric copper mining in Derekutugun, Anatolia

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ünsal Yalcin
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 264703563

The project is an interdisciplinary research project investigating the prehistoric native copper mining in the Old World, which to this date is the only example of its kind. At the forefront, there are the basic questions about the early utilization of metal resources, particularly the organization and structures of copper exploitation and copper trade in Anatolia in the early 3rd millennium BC. These particular points are key issues that are important not only from the cultural historic and subsistence archaeological points of view, but also from the view point of technology and ore deposit geology.This project approach is broad and combines the disciplines of archaeology, geology, and archaeometry. In a pilot phase the preliminary excavations have been undertaken. The results of the excavations carried out between 2009-2012 provide a basis for the second project phase. During this project phase the aims outlined above will lead to a systematical interim report. Thus, this important copper source of Anatolia will be adequately evaluated in terms of its cultural history and its technological implications.The planned surveys and excavations will be executed under the administrative direction of the Museum of Corum.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants