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Between Nomads and Settlers: A Quantitative Analysis of Lithic Assemblages from Tula’i (Tuleii), Zagros, Iran

Setareh Shafizadeh,Mahta Khaki,B. Marwick

Published 2025 in Lithic Technology

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT This study examines the lithic assemblages from Tula’i to investigate the occupation styles and mobility strategies of the inhabitants during the Neolithic. We analyzed the lithic production patterns, focusing on retouch frequencies and lithic densities, to test hypotheses concerning occupation duration: whether Tula’i was a waypoint for village-based herders (short-term occupation) or a seasonal hub for nomads (long-term occupation). We applied Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify structure within the assemblages. Our results challenge traditional models by revealing a complex picture of tool production and use that does not conform neatly to the expectations of either highly mobile or sedentary groups. The insights derived from this research refine our understanding of Neolithic settlement practices in the region and reveal the nuanced behaviors of its past communities, suggesting a dynamic interplay between transient and prolonged stays at Tula’i.

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