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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Karahöyük 1 |
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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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Mound |
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Altitude:
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1115 m |
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Region:
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Central Anatolia |
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Province:
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Konya |
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District:
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Meram |
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Village:
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Karahüyük |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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EBA I EBA II EBA III |
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| Location: It lies some 7 km southwest of the Konya Province; situated between the motorway and the so called the Cem Gardens. This renowned mound is easily accessible. As there are more than one Karahöyük in the vicinity of Konya; this one is called No.1. |
| Geography and Environment: It is one of the highest mounds of Central Anatolia. It has ten flat hills of 4-6 m high (except one) surrounding a central tumulus. Its dimensions are reported to measure 1.000x500 m [Arik 1956:16-17; sketch 6]. It is impossible to verify the exact dimensions before removing the thick alluvium deposit it is surrounded. Achieving to reach the virgin soil at only 29.10 m in the trench C on the northern terrace proves the thickness of the deposit. To the north lie fresh water springs. The water table easily reachable by means of wells; probably; played a significant role for choosing the site as a homeland. The surface of the mound is full of holes since it was used as a military camping place for a long period of time. It has been also damaged by the local villagers due to removal of soil. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The excavations started under S. Alp from 1953 did not last in a short period of time even tough it is usual with other settlements in Anatolia. It continued for long years. Although there were breaks in 1959 and between 1967 and 1970; the excavations conducted till 1966 were aiming to illuminate and stratify the mound. However; in the recent years; particularly recovery of the city contemporary with Kültepe Kanis 1b was in focus before the excavation was terminated in 1982. The EBA levels were revealed at trench C on the northern terrace; trench O on the northern side of the summit and trench S on the damaged southern part of the mound. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: Although pottery of the Byzantine; Roman and Phrygian Periods were collected from the surface; the excavations didn't yield any samples of such pottery. Trench C revealed all stratification which has 27 levels. The bedrock was reached 1.5 m below the lowest level. Levels I-IV: MBA-Assyrian Colony Period Levels V-VI: EBA III - MBA (transition) Levels VII-XI: EBA III Levels XII-XVII: EBA II Levels XVIII-XXVII: EBA I-Late Chalcolithic Age (?) |
| Small Finds: Architecture: (descending order) Level V yielded thick walls belonging to a big construction surrounding the summit [Alp 1967:456]; of which the foundation width is around 1.5-3.0 m. A thick mudbrick wall rose on it. Level VII revealed a big structure; reported to be a significant one; dating to the EBA III. The structure consists of a hall surrounded by small compartments. It is suggested to be a temple due to the finds recovered here. It also houses a hearth and five 105-115 cm cellars (?). It is defined as a goddess temple [Alp 1962:621]. Another structure similar to the sanctuary recovered in the upper level has been found in the Level VIII. Of the levels reaching to the virgin soil; Level X yielded two stone foundations whereas Level XII revealed a square room [Alp 1972: 421]. Pottery: Level VI yielded both handmade and wheel-made samples of the monoch and geometrically decorated painted pottery identified as transition/intermediate ware [Alp 1961:523-524]. It continues to the levels X-XI by decreasing gradually in quantity. Bucket handled lids were recovered from the Level VI. They are also seen at Troy III. Accompanying those wares; level VII revealed a red washed spouted pitcher bearing breasts represented by two lines painted in black on the neck and the body [Alp 1962:621]. This decoration style is also seen at level IX; even X. Vessels similar to the vases with human faces seen at Troy II were recovered from level VIII; which were also found in lower levels. Levels XII-XXII yielded samples of the ware known as "Early Aegean Ware" from Troy I which are discontinued at Level XXII. Level XVIII revealed flat and decorated plates in discoid forms. It is unknown whether the 7 depas recovered in level VI in trench S are local or imported. Trench O yielded a spouted pitcher; decorated with rhombs in dark red on a a light pink background on its neck. It is reported that samples of the ware decorated with deep incisions on a black background filled in with white paint were recovered from the lower layers of the mound. Clay: A wheel-made bull rhyton decorated with red bands on a buff colored background is one of the finest finds of level VI [Alp 1973:434]. Ground Stone: No detailed information was provided although the presence of a marble idol was reported in level VI in the trench S. It is claimed that a stone seal having the form of a foot is the oldest example of this type [Alp 1965:551]. Human Remains: EBA settlements of Karahöyük yielded single burials indicating that it is an intramural cemetery. A skeleton was found; buried in a hocker position inside two broken pithoi placed side by side; facing each other and leaning to one side at Level V. The head is oriented toward the east. A small red washed jug and a Syrian bottle decorated with samsa motifs were left as grave goods. Presence of a bronze earring and a bronze pin on its head as well as the 20 cm bronze pin on its belly exposes that the skeleton belongs to a female [Alp 1967:457]. Besides pithos graves; cist graves were uncovered in lower layers. A cist grave with mudbrick walls uncovered in level 23 and another one; its walls being erected by standing flat stone plates and capped by a single plate uncovered in level 24 have revealed the continuation of that type of graves in this period [Alp 1966:493]. Cist grave housed a spouted jug and a necklace made of bronze fishes left as grave goods. Level 24 also yielded pithos graves; one having depiction of two goats in relief facing each other. This relief is particularly emphasized by S.Alp [Alp 1966:493; Alp 1968:pl.10/20] |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: Karahöyük of Konya has a significant size and some features to enlighten the entire cultural dynasty of the Konya region as reported by R.O. Arik. Excavations continued until recent years by S.Alp revealed that it was a significant settlement surrounded by city walls; having a monumental gate and towers during the Assyrian Colony Period. Therefore; presence of a settlement similar in size and features at the end of EBA is inevitable. The structure uncovered in levels VII and VIII and defined as a temple can be said belonging to a temple palace as it was at Kültepe. Those layers are claimed to be contemporary with royal tombs of Alacahöyük and Troy II depending on the style of the pottery recovered. However; presence of various forms of double handled vessels is in compliance with the stratification of Kültepe. Probably it is contemporary with Kültepe 11b and 12. The lower levels revealed finds having similar cultural characteristics with Troy I. Presence of discoid lids; lugged vessels and samples of the ware known as the Aegean ware exposes that the trade relations between the two regions had started from the midst of EBA. Another amazing find is that the human faced vessels emerged at Troy II continued from the lowest to the top levels of Karahöyük. It was; without any doubt; the capital of a principality during both the beginning of the second millennium BC and the end of the third millennium BC. |
