Space inside the wall, space outside the wall. The contribution of the macro-lithic and chipped stone tools use-wear analysis to disclose the role of the monumental wall in the EBA village of Arslantepe (Malatya, Turkey)

A monumental wall at Arslantepe Mound, initially thought to have lost its defensive function by the late Early Bronze Age (EBA), was found to play a multifaceted role. Use-wear analysis of macro-lithic and chipped stone tools from phase VI B2 (2900–2750 BCE) revealed that rooms adjacent to the wall served dual purposes: storage and active workspaces, indicating sustained utility beyond defense. These findings contrast with the village's apparent lack of internal hierarchy, suggesting the wall's function evolved over time. By comparing tool-use data from inside and outside the wall, researchers identified distinct yet overlapping activities, providing new insights into the spatial organization and functional dynamics of this EBA farmer’s village in Eastern Anatolia.

De Angelis, A., & Lemorini, C. (2024). Space inside the wall, space outside the wall. The contribution of the macro-lithic and chipped stone tools use-wear analysis to disclose the role of the monumental wall in the EBA village of Arslantepe (Malatya, Turkey). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 57, 104665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104665