Unique engravings on Neolithic obsidian arrowheads in Anatolia are studied

In the heart of Cappadocia, in the Neolithic settlement of Tepecik-Çiftlik, located between two large deposits of volcanic glass, eleven obsidian points with uniquely engraved designs were recovered. These pieces are part of a broader set: of the thousands of obsidian arrowheads found in the region, only 54 exhibit this type of markings.

Researchers Alice Vinet from the University of Aix Marseille and Denis Guilbeau from the French Ministry of Culture examined all the engraved points under a microscope and attempted to reproduce the strokes. They found that to leave those marks on the smooth surface of the obsidian, it was necessary to repeatedly pass a flint fragment over it. This makes it very unlikely that they were accidental scratches.

The points with incisions are the same size and shape as those without any markings. They also did not appear in special contexts, such as graves. Furthermore, they show similar wear to the unmarked pieces, indicating that they were used in the same way.

However, the researchers observed a striking detail: the engraved points recovered from the same site often share similar motifs. From this pattern, they concluded that not all the mysterious marks may have served the same purpose.

A discovery that raises new questions

The study, published in the scientific journal PLOS One, focuses on a material that was fundamental for the Neolithic communities of central Anatolia. Obsidian, a volcanic glass of excellent quality for carving, circulated widely in the area and was used to make tools and weapons.

The fact that only a small fraction of the points bear these engravings reinforces the idea that it was a deliberate and infrequent practice. The researchers ruled out that the marks served simply to identify the owner or to indicate a ritual use, as the pieces do not differ from the rest in their morphology or in their context of discovery.

The repetition of motifs within the same site suggests, on the other hand, that there may have been some type of local code or shared tradition among the inhabitants of each settlement. Still, the team clarifies that it is possible that the marks served different functions depending on the time or the group that created them.

The work provides a finer perspective on the technical and symbolic practices of the Neolithic societies in the region. By demonstrating that the incisions required conscious and repeated effort, the study compels a reevaluation of the value these communities placed on everyday objects like arrowheads.

It remains to be investigated whether these marks responded to a practical need, a form of communication, or some cultural convention that has yet to be fully deciphered.