Spectroscopic and microscopic analysis of yarn sample found in Başur Höyük Early Bronze Age Cemetery

Abstract

The Early Bronze Age cemetery at Başur Höyük (Siirt, Türkiye), dated back to the 3rd millennium BC, contains a wide range of ancient artifacts. Thousands of finds consisting of various metal objects, pottery, stone and textile artifacts were excavated from the site, where a total of 18 graves were found and excavated. The well-preserved textile artifacts, found especially on metal objects, are the subject of the present article. The article presents the initial results of the joint work of the archaeologists and textile engineers involved in the archaeological excavation project at Başur Höyük. The paper presents general information about the uses of the textile materials found in the Başur Höyük EBA burial site and the Başur Höyük graves, concluded on the basis of their relationship with the other excavated materials. In addition, the results of the quantitative analyses of the yarn artifact is presented, which were carried out using non-destructive analytical methods, such as: FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The infrared spectra of the yarn sample indicate the cellulose origin of the ancient fibers.