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Frog in the Pond: Gökçeada (Imbros), an Aegean Stepping-stone in the Chalcolithic use of Spondylus Shell

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 December 2014

Emma Baysal  and
Burçin Erdoğu
Emma Baysal
Affiliation:
Arkeoloji Bölümü, Prehistorya Ana Bilim Dalı, Edebiyet Fakültesi, Trakya Üniversitesi Edirne, Türkiye. emmabaysal@gmail.com
Burçin Erdoğu
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Thrace, Edirne, Turkey. berdogu@gmail.com
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Abstract

The use of marine shells in the manufacture of bracelets and beads is a well-attested phenomenon of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods of Western Anatolia, the Aegean, and the Balkans. The site of Gökçeada-Uğurlu, located on an island in the Aegean between mainland Europe and Anatolia, shows evidence for the manufacture and use of bracelets and beads from Spondylus and Glycymeris shell. This use of personal ornamentation ties the site into one of the widest material culture production and trade networks of the prehistoric period. This article explores the possible role of, and influences on, an island site within the wider context of long-distance exchange. The life history of shell products is investigated, showing that a bracelet may have gone through processes of transformation in order to remain in use. The article also questions whether there was a relationship between the use of marine shell and white marble from which similar products were manufactured in contemporary contexts. In its conclusions the article addresses the value of materials and of the personal ornaments they were used to make.

Résumé

Une grenouille dans la mare: Gökçeada (Imbros), une pierre de gué égéenne dans l’utilisation du coquillage Spondylus au chalcolithique, de Emma Baysal et Burçin Erdoğu

L’utilisation de coquillages marins dans la fabrication de bracelets et de perles est un phénomène bien attesté des périodes néolithique et chalcolithique de l’Anatolie occidentale, de la mer Egée et des Balkans. Le site de Gökçeada Uğurlu, qui se trouve sur une île de la mer Egée entre le continent européen et l’Anatolie, met en évidence des témoignages de fabrication et d’utilisation de bracelets et de perles en coquillages Spondylus et Glycymeris. Cet usage de parures personnelles rattache ce site à un des plus vastes réseaux de production et et de commerce de culture matérielle. L’article explore les éventuels rôles et influences que peut exercer un site situé sur une île à l’intérieur du contexte plus étendu d’échanges lointains. On examine la biographie des articles en coquillages, démontrant qu’un bracelet peut avoir subi des procédés de transformation afin de rester en usage. L’article pose aussi la question de savoir s’il y avait un lien entre l’utilisation de coquillages marins et le marbre blanc qui entrait dans la fabrication d’articles similaires dans des contextes contemporains. Dans ses conclusions l’article aborde la question de la valeur des matériaux et des parures qu’ils servaient à fabriquer.

Zussamenfassung

Frosch im Teich: Gökçeada (Imbros), ein ägäisches Sprungbrett für die chalkolithische Nutzung von Spondylus, von Emma Baysal und Burçin Erdoğu

Die Nutzung von Meeresschnecken für die Herstellung von Armreifen und Perlen ist ein gut dokumentiertes Phänomen des Neolithikums und Chalkolithikums in Westanatolien, der Ägäis und auf dem Balkan. Der Fundplatz Gökçeada Uğurlu, der auf einer Insel in der Ägäis zwischen dem europäischen Festland und Anatolien liegt, liefert Hinweise auf die Herstellung und Nutzung von Armreifen und Perlen aus Spondylus- und Glycymeris-Muschelschalen. Die Nutzung solchen persönlichen Schmucks bindet den Fundplatz in eines der größten Netzwerke der Produktion und des Austauschs materieller Kultur prähistorischer Epochen ein. Dieser Beitrag untersucht die mögliche Rolle von und die Einflüsse auf eine Insel innerhalb des weiteren Kontexts des Ferntauschs. Die Lebensgeschichte von Muschelprodukten wird erforscht; dies zeigt, dass ein Armreif Transformationsprozesse durchlaufen haben kann um weiter dem Gebrauch dienen zu können. Der Beitrag stellt auch die Frage, ob es eine Beziehung gab zwischen der Nutzung von Meeresschnecken und weißem Marmor, aus dem vergleichbare Produkte in zeitgleichen Kontexten angefertigt wurden. In seinen Schlussfolgerungen befasst sich der Artikel auch mit dem Wert von Materialien und von den persönlichen Schmuckgegenständen, die daraus gemacht wurden.

Resumen

Una rana en el estanque: Gökçeada (Imbros), un peldaño en el uso de la concha de Spondylus en el Calcolítico en el Egeo, por Emma Baysal y Burçin Erdoğu

El uso de conchas marinas en la elaboración de brazaletes y cuentas es un fenómeno bien documentado durante el Neolítico y el Calcolítico en el oeste de Anatolia, el Egeo y los Balcanes. El yacimiento de Gökçeada Uğurlu, situado en una isla del Egeo entre Europa y Anatolia, presenta evidencias de la manufactura y uso de brazaletes y cuentas realizadas en concha de Spondylus y Glycymeris. Este uso de la ornamentación personal relaciona al yacimiento con una de las redes de producción e intercambio de cultura material más amplia de época prehistórica. Este artículo explora el posible rol e influencias del yacimiento insular en un contexto amplio de intercambios a larga distancia. Se analiza la “historia” de los productos en concha, mostrando que un brazalete puede haber sufrido numerosos procesos de transformación para mantenerlo en uso. Este artículo también indaga en la posible relación entre el uso de las conchas marinas y el mármol blanco a partir de los cuáles se elaboraron productos similares en contextos contemporáneos. En sus conclusiones, el artículo aborda el valor de los materiales y de los adornos personales en que fueron transformados.

Keywords

SpondylusGlycymerispersonal ornamentationChalcolithicbraceletsbeadslong-distance exchange
Type
Articles
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 80 , December 2014 , pp. 363 - 378
Copyright
© The Prehistoric Society 2014 

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