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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Asartepe |
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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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Upland Settlement |
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Altitude:
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m |
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Region:
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Aegean |
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Province:
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Mugla |
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District:
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Marmaris |
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Village:
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Hisarönü |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Period:
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| During the Bybassos Surveys conducted by Held in 2009, an ancient settlement surrounded by city walls was discovered on Asartepe (491 m). The settlement was located outside of previously known fortified settlement (Büyük Asartepe); over the eastern neighbouring hill (Küçük Asartepe) and between two hills. The walls which were built with polygonal blocks, were especially visible on the north and east sides. The entrance was provided by a door on the eastern side, beginning from that part, the houses were located along the walls and restricted with a rock on south side. Two of the cisterns using for water supply were discovered on the surface. On the top, a large building (Late Geometric/Early Archaic period?) in egg-shaped plan was discovered. It is possible to define this building as fortress because of its wall width up to 5 m. The building underwent a renovation in later levels with addition of a cistern and plastering [Held et al. 2013.185-186]. The studies conducted by Held in Asartepe in 2011 were completed. Except two press beds and a few handmills, no other remains that give information about the subsistence economy of the settlement located in Küçük Asartepe were found. The structure numbered 31 that is located near the cistern carved into rock has an egg-shaped plan such in the structure 1 in Upper city. It was built with massive and rough polygonal blocks. The temple terrace on the south of Asartepe has two phases. The Archaic curved terrace wall on its east consists of rough blocks. The west section in orthogonal plan built with polygonal blocks was added in Classical Period. The temple has an extraordinary plan. It demonstrates a temple with a large Prostylos-type and there are two cellas side by side inside. The columns carved from limestone were just roughly worked. Since the fragments of red paint were found around, they might have been covered with red plaster. The walls in high quality were built with block stones that were carved with pointed chisel. Roof tiles were largely preserved and the temple is possibly dated to 6th millennium BC. A fragment of stel and a sherd belonging to a high-class marble vessel were found. The necropolis on the south slope of Asartepe covers an area of 160x170 m. Grave bases and terrace blocks were recovered from the stone quarry in the necropolis. On the vertical and flat stone in the stone quarry, there is an inscription with three lines written in Carian alphabet. This insription is the first Carian inscription found in Chersonesos [Held 2013:272]. |
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