|
©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kanal Magarasi |
|
|
For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
|
Type:
|
Cave |
|
Altitude:
|
30 m |
|
Region:
|
Mediterranean |
|
Province:
|
Hatay |
|
District:
|
Samandag |
|
Village:
|
Magaracik |
|
Investigation Method:
|
Excavation |
|
Period:
|
OP ÜP |
|
|
|
  |
|
| Location: This cave site is southwest of the city of Antakya; northwest of the town of Samandag and very close to the village of Magaracik; on the cliffs of Mount Musa. It is approximately 500 m from the Merdivenli Cave; by the Roman water canals and lies 300 m from the Mediterranean; facing the sea. The entrance of the cave is 20 meters above sea-level. If one stands facing the cliffs from where the Roman canals reach the sea; the mouth of the cave can be spotted on the left while the base will be on the right. |
| Geography and Environment: This cave is on Mount Musa in the village of Magaracik. Palaeolithic finds were also collected from nearby caves such as Merdivenli and Ikinci. All of the caves have been carved into Helvetian limestone. Most of them are represented on a 1:100;000 map. Kanal Magarasi or "Canal Cave" was partially destroyed by canal engineers from the Roman city of Selevkia who constructed water canals around these cliffs. Much of the cave was altered beyond recognition by this activity. In fact; Minzoni-Deroche reports that this is not even a cave. We do not have exact dimensions of this cave; although we know that its mouth is small and triangular in shape. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The site was discovered in 1966. Excavations directed by E.Y. Bostanci; where trenches were opened by the entrance (?) immediately outside the cave; took place in 1966; 1967 and 1969. We are informed that Bostanci defined six layers but lack stratigraphic descriptions. It is not specified which layer dates to what period. Several different sand strata are reported to be found among the Upper Palaeolithic; terra rosa iron oxide layers. The researchers believe that this indicates that the climate of this region in the Upper Palaeolithic was dry. The Mediterranean; which was 15 m higher than today in the Riss-Würm Ice Ages; was probably much closer to this cave than it is today. The lowest excavated layer; Layer VI; is especially hard. Minzoni-Deroche reports that the material cultural fill at this site is composed of mixed deposits that have hardened as a result of water erosion and movement of sloping sediments [Minzoni-Deroche 1993:149]. This explains the lack of clarity in the report of the excavated strata. |
| Stratigraphy: |
| Small Finds: The first test trench dug at this site revealed the presence of an Upper Palaeolithic Aurignacien Culture. Further excavation exposed Middle Palaeolithic remains. The Upper Palaeolithic layers yielded end scrapers on blades; rounded scrapers; biface end scrapers; steep scrapers; burins on flakes and on blades; Chatelperonien type knives with truncated backs; Font Yves points; worked blades; and cores [Bostanci 1967a:29-31]. Bostanci reports that the number of artifacts and debitage products together total 20;000. Side scrapers and Moustérien points; some of which have been worked; can be found in the Levalloiso-Moustérien flake culture strata which underlie the Aurignacien layers. This layer (which must be either Layer III or IV) is composed of very hard reddish soil. In the lowest layer of trench B an Acheuléen biface handaxe was found above a Moustérien point. Bostanci believes that there is an Acheul-Levalloiso-Moustérien culture at this level although there are no other reported finds to strengthen his point. Furthermore; the excavation yielded a few human remains including a molar from a mandible in Upper Palaeolithic layers and a canine tooth from the maxilla of a 9 year old boy in Middle Palaeolithic strata. Although not well described; many fossilized mammal bones were also collected here. Minzoni-Deroche reports that she found 1;468 tools and tool fragments at this site in the surface survey she conducted after the excavation. Among the finds were rounded end scrapers; side scrapers; burins on blades; borers etc. assigned to the Upper Palaeolithic. She does not make mention of Middle Palaeolithic tools. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: |
