Pb, Zn ±Ag±Cu±Sn mining at Taurus Mountains in Antique Period

Some mines at Çayönü (Diyarbakir), Aşıklı (Aksaray), Çatalhüyük (Konya) were recognised and used before the beginning of the Neolithic age (B.C. 8000). This is long time ago from the mining in the World took attention in the Chalcolithic age (B.C. 5500‐3000). With its pioneering role, The Anatolia has substantial contribution in the formation and development of the Mesopotamian civilization, assumed as a cradle of World civilisation. The first written records of Mesopotamia indicate that the Anatolia has many important mineral deposits. Coming of Mesopotamian Merchant to Anatolia for mining trade is thus one of the most important factors, which leads to start historical eras in Anatolia. Mines and mining had a very important role in the formation and development of Anatolian civilization in ancient times, but it is difficult to say that this issue has been researched sufficiently. Mine was extracted at the large part of the ancient settlements situated at the Taurus mountains, particularly at the south of Konya and Karaman cities, as evidenced existence of the mine residue on the surface. On the other hand, finding out of the mining galleries from ancient period reflect us preserved traces of intensive historical mining. Bulk rock chemical analyses were performed on the slag and ore obtainedby surface research on Anatolian mining. The results show that Kızılgeris (Hadim/KONYA) and Uchoyuk (Akşehir/KONYA) samples are enriched in Fe (% 47), Pb, Zn, Cu, Ag (30 ppm) and Cu, Pb (22 ppm), Sn (116 ppm), respectively. In contrary, Çavuşkale (Huyuk, Beyşehir/Konya) and Tatköy (Konya) samples show enrichment in Cu (606 ppm) and Zn (335 ppm), respectively. On the other hand, Erengirit (KONYA) samples show only and remarkable U enrichment (23 ppm). Land characteristics, and results of the ore and slag suggest that minings of Pb, Zn ±Ag±Cu were possibly operated at these locations.