Crossing the Neolithic Balkans. New approaches to green amulets

Methodology

A representative sample of artefacts made of green stone (Nephrite) could be studied and analyzed in depth, including detailed documentation, microscopic analysis, petrological definition and GIS mapping. All artefacts are embedded in contextual investigations. The cultural connectivity will be analyzed in a cultural context approach.

The Fourier-Transform-Infrarot Spectrometer (FTIR) is used to analyseč the special selected green stone objects. This is a device for measuring infrared spectra, which allows to determine the type and provenance of various materials, such as these lithic objects. The FTIR is equipped with a module for absolutely non-destructive analyses.

First results of the project were already presented at the EAA Budapest 2022.

In the framework of the long-standing and successful collaboration with NIAM-BAS and its director Hristo Popov  https://www.oeaw.ac.at/oeai/forschung/praehistorie-wana-archaeologie/mediterrane-oekonomien/bronze-age-gold-road-of-the-balkans a fieldtrip to several museums across Bulgaria was organized in 2023.

We would like to thank our Bulgarian colleagues, the involved national and regional museums in Bulgaria, their directors and staff for the warm welcome to their museums and willingness to share the artefacts and provenance information of the objects with our team.