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View from South Iraq

Tell Nader, Iraq

Obsidian and North arrow.

A Settlement Across Time

Situated in northern Iraq’s Erbil region, Tell Nader is an archaeological site with an occupation history spanning from the Chalcolithic to the Middle/Neo-Assyrian Period. Excavations at the site, led by Dr. Konstantinos Kopanias of the University of Athens, began in 2011, uncovering layers of cultural and economic transformation over millennia.

Tell Nader’s strategic location places it within the dynamic exchange systems of ancient Mesopotamia, offering key insights into the long-term evolution of trade, social complexity, and technological advancements.

Investigating Obsidian Exchange At MAX Lab

At MAX Lab, our research focuses on analyzing a small group of obsidian artefacts from a later Neolithic–Early Chalcolithic (Ubaid) horizon. This work contributes to ongoing discussions surrounding the expansion and transformation of obsidian exchange networks, particularly within the framework of Renfrew’s ‘cosmopolitan Chalcolithic’ – a period marked by increased interregional connectivity.

Through elemental analysis, we aim to explore how obsidian sourcing reflects broader shifts in socio-economic complexity, including the emergence of sealing systems and gateway communities that facilitated long-distance trade. By reconstructing these patterns, our research provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind early exchange networks and their role in shaping urbanization.