©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project


Çakilli Tümülüsü

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Çakıllı Tümülüsü
Type:
Tumulus
Altitude:
m
Region:
Marmara
Province:
Kirklareli
District:
Vize
Village:
Çakilli
Investigation Method:
Excavation
Period:
Early Iron Age Middle Iron Age

     


Location: It is located 50 m to the right of the Vize-Çakilli motorway at the 14th kilometers near the Çakilli Village, southeast of the Vize District in Kirklareli.
Geography and Environment: The tomb rests on a slight elevation at the plain level. On the floor there is a layer of stone including iron from place to place, and again a series of smooth local calcareous rocks in a certain layer. The anterior chamber of the tumulus is like two masonry walls, which consist of clean-cut, loam mortar, moderate-size stone rows.
History:
Research and Excavation: A salvage excavation was conducted in 1995 on behalf of the Museum Directorate of Kirklareli upon a notification stating that the tumulus had been digged by treasure hunters, which resulted in heavy destruction. It lasted for two campaigns, and restoration and landscaping works were carried out in addition to the excavations in 1996.
Stratigraphy:
Small Finds: Pottery: Limited number of sherds were found in the grave chamber. All are hand-made and monochrome. Some were not baked in a kiln, but in high temperatures [Yilmaz 1997:117, pics. 9, 19, drw. 4, 5, 8, 10]. They consist of mainly dark grey sherds as well as brownish, beige or buff colored paste, shaped with poor sifting, probably for daily used pottery. Among them are flute decorated samples, spouted pitcher, and coarse ware with high spur, hanging lug and hornlike projections [Yilmaz 1997: pics.11-13, drws. 9, 12-13]. Tomb: Rectangular and flat plates were placed over a low barrow, forming two long and one short sides, and then topped by a fourth block as lid (ceiling). No bonding was used betwee the stones. The southeastern section is larger than the northwestesn section of this small chamber-like structure. After placing the burial, it was closed by a coarse lid, and supported by stones from the behind. The floor was paved with white-light yellow limestones. Human Remains: Three burials were found in the grave chamber, and they belong to the same culture. Probably they were buried simultaneously [Yilmaz 1997:108].
Remains:
Interpretation and Dating: The Tumulus of Çakilli was considered as an example of transition form primitive burial techniques to more advanced technqiues, and it was reported that tumuli of group II can be evaluated under class B. It is stated that the crepis wall (?) seen further from the left wall of the passageway was an innovation. No identical tumulus is known [Yilmaz (Z) 1997:114, 116]. It is agreed that it was originally built during the late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age [Yilmaz (Z) 1997:118]. The second use was during the mid- Iron Age [Yilmaz (Z) 1998:211].


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