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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Bayindir Tümülüsleri |
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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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Tumulus |
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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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Antalya |
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District:
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Elmali |
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Village:
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Bayindir |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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| Location: It is located in Bayindir village, 2 km north of Gökpinar village at the 10th km of Elmali-Antalya highway. |
| Geography and Environment: |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: 16 stone piles were found in 1984 by Antalya Museum during the survey started in Çagiltemeller Mevkii in Bayindir Village due to information came from the site keeper. Salvage excavations carried out in 1986 and 1987. |
| Stratigraphy: |
| Small Finds: 5 stone piles stated between two streambeds were selected as the first working area. These barrows were named after letters A to E. Excavation started in 1986 at least damaged one, Tumulus C. It was about 36-38 m in dimensions and 4.20 m height at the center. Virgin soil was reached after randomly scattered stones, large flat stones and chocolate colored clay level at the deep trench in tumulus. A cremation pit with gifts was uncovered in virgin soil. A burnt area at the same level with virgin soil surrounded the pit. The finds in this area such as charcoal, potsherds, arrowheads and carbonized fruits of fig, grape and almond suggested that the dead was cremated under a heavy fire together with the sacrificed animal, gifts and materials of funeral feast. Most of the grave goods were vanished or damaged by the influence of heavy fire. The exciting finds were listed as; an iron tripod and its trivets, 46 arrowheads, 2 spearheads, iron dagger with golden hobnailed hilt, griffin protomes of a large bronze kettle, phallus looking multi-headed 2 ritual tools, omphalos beaker fragments, trumped lug beaker, iron parts of a harness, so broken and bruised potsherds that couldn't be reconstructed, bones and tooth pieces. Pair of golden earrings, an electron lion head and a duck-shaped electron pin knob was collected while the soil was strained. Excavation continued at Tumulus D in 1987. It extended 40 m in east-west direction, 45 m in north-south direction and raised 5.10 m in center. This tumulus was also consisting of 4-phased layer as Tumulus C did. But a grave was found instead of crenation. According to two oppositely standing iron pieces and the locations of scattered gifts, the dead heading east was laid down on a wooden cline with iron construction on both ends, but in time wood decomposed and broken down so the skeleton was shattered. There was a silver waist on skeleton's waist, 10 bronze fibulas on its breast, 9 silver fibulas attached near its chin, 2 vases with bull protomes on feet part and silver goods could be related to a harness, crescent shaped silver parts probably from a shield, iron horse bits and many of silver plates and coating pieces were found. During excavation extending towards west and south of the pit, crushed under stones a large kettle with two handles was found. Towards southeast of the kettle rich findings came out. There were 5 silver omphalos vases, 1 silver and 1 bronze ladle, 2 situlas, 2 dinos formed vases with epigraphs on the shoulder and the most significant 3 ivory figurines and a silver priest figurine was found. Together with the lots of other unique finds this area was thought to be a feast and votive place in the room, which was particularly separated. The wooden room was 3.25x4.50 m in dimensions and its floor was paved with stones. Around the pebble paved area there were 8 wooden postholes with 50 cm depth and 22 m diameter [Dörtlük 1989:171-174]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: |
