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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Ikiagizli Magarasi |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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Cave |
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Altitude:
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m |
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Region:
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Mediterranean |
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Province:
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Hatay |
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District:
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Samandag |
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Village:
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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| Location: It is situated on the hill where Üçagizli Cave is also located at, near Syrian border approximately 12 km from Samandag District in Hatay [Güleç et al. 2010:127]. |
| Geography and Environment: |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was discovered during the survey performed by E. Güleç et al. in 2002, and named "Ikiagizli Cave" due to the fact that it has two entrances. A brief sounding was performed by E. Güleç in 2008 [Güleç et al. 2010:127]. |
| Stratigraphy: As a result of the sounding performed in 2008, 8 levels were identified. Level A is the surface soil and it is black. It contains rocks that fell from cave ceiling in various sizes. Level 8 is the actual deposit of the cave in light orange color and contains Palaeolithic finds in lower sections in form of debris. This level contains small size limestones. In situ Palaeolithic finds are encountered starting in level C. This level is dark grey contains accumulated dark brown sediments. Level D is the continuity of level C and composes a cinder level. The level is very hard and contains a low amount of Palaeolithic finds. Level E is level with level D and consists of brown smudge besides the other level and contains Palaeolithic finds. Level F consists of fine gravel. It does not contain any Palaeolithic finds. Level G consists of conglomerates composed of gravel and it is assumed that it forms the basis of the cave floor [Güleç et al. 2010:127-128]. |
| Small Finds: Three hundred and five pieces of tools and fragments, 19 cores, and fragments and 1471 pieces of remains were identified during the 2008 sounding. The technology identified inside the cave consists of the flake industry. Most of the flakes are flat and Levallois type. The cave contains typical Middle Palaeolithic tools and there is a high rate of side scrapers. Besides these the convex types constitute the majority among side scrapers. Mousterian tips and Levallois tips are also noticed. The density of serrated/notched and Palaeolithic tools is low [Güleç et al. 2010:128-129]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: Existence of recurrent Levallois cores, Levallois elements being high, low number of touched tools and existence of convergent negative flake marks suggest that Ikiagizli cave is within Levant Palaeolithic culture. The similarity of the technological structure of the cave to Tabun C is considered due to the density of flake industry [Güleç et al. 2010:128]. |
