Mineralogical Analysis of the Kestel Mine: An Early Bronze Age Source of Tin Ore in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey
Since its discovery in 1987, the Early Bronze Kestel Mine has been a topic of archaeological and geological controversy. The initial interpretation of the extensive marble-hosted galleries as the oldest known tin mine was challenged due to the low tin grade in remaining hematite-quartz veins, and it...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/1/91 |
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| author | Wayne Powell Evren Yazgan Michael Johnson K. Aslıhan Yener Ryan Mathur |
| author_facet | Wayne Powell Evren Yazgan Michael Johnson K. Aslıhan Yener Ryan Mathur |
| author_sort | Wayne Powell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Since its discovery in 1987, the Early Bronze Kestel Mine has been a topic of archaeological and geological controversy. The initial interpretation of the extensive marble-hosted galleries as the oldest known tin mine was challenged due to the low tin grade in remaining hematite-quartz veins, and it was suggested that Kestel was more likely mined for gold. Mineralogical analysis of the remaining mineralization was compared to a heavy mineral concentrate extracted from the soil preserved within the mine. The compositionally complex, arsenate-rich mineral assemblage from the mine sediment, contrasts with that of the remaining surface mineralization. Thus, the outcropping veins do not represent the nature of the extracted ore. Only one grain of gold was found in the heavy mineral concentrate, whereas cassiterite composed 1.5% of the sample. Cassiterite occurs in complex assemblages with arsenates, clays, hematite, quartz, and dolomite, bearing resemblance to hematite-arsenate tin mineralization that occurs near Kayseri, 60 km to the northeast. These findings indicate that although gold was a trace component of the Kestel ore, cassiterite was the mineral of interest to the Early Bronze Age miners, and that Kestel represents the earliest evidence thus far for an emerging pattern of local tin exploitation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:22:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-deb7744ce99844748de5195d6a826e58 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:22:24Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-deb7744ce99844748de5195d6a826e582023-12-03T13:46:44ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2021-01-011119110.3390/min11010091Mineralogical Analysis of the Kestel Mine: An Early Bronze Age Source of Tin Ore in the Taurus Mountains, TurkeyWayne Powell0Evren Yazgan1Michael Johnson2K. Aslıhan Yener3Ryan Mathur4Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USAGeneral Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), Ankara 06530, TurkeyStell Environmental Enterprises, Eagleview Corporate Center, Exton, PA 19341, USAInstitute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW), New York University, New York, NY 10028, USADepartment of Geology, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA 16652, USASince its discovery in 1987, the Early Bronze Kestel Mine has been a topic of archaeological and geological controversy. The initial interpretation of the extensive marble-hosted galleries as the oldest known tin mine was challenged due to the low tin grade in remaining hematite-quartz veins, and it was suggested that Kestel was more likely mined for gold. Mineralogical analysis of the remaining mineralization was compared to a heavy mineral concentrate extracted from the soil preserved within the mine. The compositionally complex, arsenate-rich mineral assemblage from the mine sediment, contrasts with that of the remaining surface mineralization. Thus, the outcropping veins do not represent the nature of the extracted ore. Only one grain of gold was found in the heavy mineral concentrate, whereas cassiterite composed 1.5% of the sample. Cassiterite occurs in complex assemblages with arsenates, clays, hematite, quartz, and dolomite, bearing resemblance to hematite-arsenate tin mineralization that occurs near Kayseri, 60 km to the northeast. These findings indicate that although gold was a trace component of the Kestel ore, cassiterite was the mineral of interest to the Early Bronze Age miners, and that Kestel represents the earliest evidence thus far for an emerging pattern of local tin exploitation.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/1/91geoarchaeologyBronze AgecassiteritearsenatesTurkeyNiğde Massif |
| spellingShingle | Wayne Powell Evren Yazgan Michael Johnson K. Aslıhan Yener Ryan Mathur Mineralogical Analysis of the Kestel Mine: An Early Bronze Age Source of Tin Ore in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey Minerals geoarchaeology Bronze Age cassiterite arsenates Turkey Niğde Massif |
| title | Mineralogical Analysis of the Kestel Mine: An Early Bronze Age Source of Tin Ore in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey |
| title_full | Mineralogical Analysis of the Kestel Mine: An Early Bronze Age Source of Tin Ore in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey |
| title_fullStr | Mineralogical Analysis of the Kestel Mine: An Early Bronze Age Source of Tin Ore in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mineralogical Analysis of the Kestel Mine: An Early Bronze Age Source of Tin Ore in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey |
| title_short | Mineralogical Analysis of the Kestel Mine: An Early Bronze Age Source of Tin Ore in the Taurus Mountains, Turkey |
| title_sort | mineralogical analysis of the kestel mine an early bronze age source of tin ore in the taurus mountains turkey |
| topic | geoarchaeology Bronze Age cassiterite arsenates Turkey Niğde Massif |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/1/91 |
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