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Obsidian used as ancient scalpel found in Turkey's Samsun
Hurriyet ^ | Monday, August 9, 2010 | Anatolia News Agency

Posted on 08/10/2010 7:59:47 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

A piece of obsidian (volcanic glass) dating back 4,000 years and believed to have been used as a scalpel for surgery has been unearthed during excavations carried out in the Black Sea province of Samsun.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Professor Önder Bilgi, the chairman of the excavations, said that the work in the ruins of the Ekiztepe village in Samsun's Bafra district had begun in 1974.

"During this year's excavations, which started July 15, we discovered a piece of obsidian that was used as a scalpel in surgeries. Obsidian beds are generally situated in the Central Anatolian region of Cappadocia. We think obsidian was brought to this region through trade," Bilgi said. "As this stone is very sharp and hygienic, it was [likely] used as a scalpel in brain surgeries. Glass scalpels are still available."

The excavations have also revealed that there was continuous settlement in the region between 4000 B.C. and 1700 B.C.

Weapons, devices, ovens and ornaments were unearthed separately during the excavations, showing that the inhabitants of the Ekiztepe region played an important role in the development of mining in Anatolia.

Some of the findings discovered in the excavations are being displayed at the Samsun Archaeology Museum.

(Excerpt) Read more at hurriyetdailynews.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs; obsidian; turkey
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To: Condor51

And that’s not even touching on the Obsidian Order.


21 posted on 08/11/2010 4:27:27 PM PDT by SunkenCiv ("Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others." -- Otto von Bismarck)
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To: SunkenCiv

22 posted on 08/11/2010 4:30:37 PM PDT by x
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To: JimSEA

Thanks JimSEA!


23 posted on 08/11/2010 4:33:52 PM PDT by SunkenCiv ("Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others." -- Otto von Bismarck)
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To: theymakemesick

Obsidian made the Stone Age rock.


24 posted on 08/11/2010 4:37:49 PM PDT by SunkenCiv ("Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others." -- Otto von Bismarck)
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To: mylife

Definitely.


25 posted on 08/11/2010 4:43:48 PM PDT by SunkenCiv ("Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others." -- Otto von Bismarck)
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To: GeronL

Possibly the shape. Or maybe it had “scalpel” written down the handle.


26 posted on 08/11/2010 4:44:12 PM PDT by SunkenCiv ("Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others." -- Otto von Bismarck)
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To: x

Thanks x.


27 posted on 08/11/2010 4:48:14 PM PDT by SunkenCiv ("Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others." -- Otto von Bismarck)
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To: SunkenCiv

It was in a black bag with a red cross on it! Of course!


28 posted on 08/11/2010 5:06:06 PM PDT by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com <--- My Fiction/ Science Fiction Board)
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To: SunkenCiv
*** And that’s not even touching on the Obsidian Order. ***

Dang, you're smart.
I never heard of the 'Obsidian Order', I had to look it up ;-)

29 posted on 08/12/2010 3:43:12 AM PDT by Condor51 (SAT CONG!)
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To: SunkenCiv

I think the key words that truly tell the tale are -— “believed to have been used as a scalpel”.


30 posted on 08/12/2010 7:21:17 AM PDT by Dustbunny ("Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them. " Ronald Reagan)
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To: Condor51

Can’t blame ya, the spinoff series got worse and worse.


31 posted on 08/12/2010 3:11:22 PM PDT by SunkenCiv ("Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others." -- Otto von Bismarck)
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