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Archaeologists Discover 11 New Carved Obsidian Arrowheads at Tepecik-Çiftlik Site in Turkey

Researchers from France’s Aix Marseille Université have identified 11 additional carved obsidian arrowheads at the Tepecik-Çiftlik site in Cappadocia, Turkey. These new finds bring the total number of documented incised arrowheads in the region to 54, dating back to the Late Neolithic era between 7,100 and 5,800 BCE. While the arrowheads are unique in their designs, they share a regional pattern found only in Central Anatolia. The markings were created using flint tools, as obsidian cannot scratch itself. Microscopic analysis confirmed that the marks were deliberate rather than accidental. Archaeologist Alice Vinet noted that while every arrowhead is unique, similarities across sites are emerging. Although some theories suggest the marks served as hunter signatures, the lack of a standard system makes a definitive conclusion difficult. Researchers now hope to find marked arrowheads in burials to better understand their purpose.

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