Geochemical–petrographic characterization of Chalcolithic and Kura–Araxes pottery from the Southern Araxes Basin, Iran

Abstract The Chalcolithic–Kura–Araxes transition in northwestern Iran marks a crucial period of social and cultural change, highlighting the need to understand ceramic technology to trace the origins of Kura–Araxes pottery traditions. This study analyzes technological variability and potential continuity in pottery production in the southern Araxes Basin using 20 ceramic sherds from 11 archeological sites and comparative geochemical data from 32 Kura–Araxes samples from the Lake Urmia Basin. Methods include thin-section petrography, p-XRF, and multivariate statistics. The findings demonstrate distinct differences between Chalcolithic and Kura–Araxes ceramics in paste microstructure, inclusion assemblages, and firing conditions, though some geochemical overlap suggests similar local raw material sources. Significant compositional variability also exists within both groups. By presenting new archaeometric data, this study contributes to understanding technological change and ceramic production practices during this pivotal transition in the southern Araxes Basin.