Between the sea and the river: Geochemical characterization of the obsidian artefacts from Mahal Teglinos (Kassala, Sudan), 4th - 2nd millennia BC

This paper presents the preliminary results of an ongoing study of the obsidian routes in northeastern Africa during the past. In particular, it presents the results of the analysis of 14 obsidian artefacts coming from the site of Mahal Teglinos, located in the region of Kassala, eastern Sudan, and dated between the 4th and the 2nd millennia BC. The artefacts were geochemically analyzed through LA-ICPMS. The results confirmed that Kusrale basin, in the Gulf of Zula, Eritrea, was one of the obsidian sources in use at least during the Gash Group period (early 3rd - early 2nd millennia BC).