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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Levzin Höyük |
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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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570 m |
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Region:
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Southeastern Anatolia |
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Province:
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Adiyaman |
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District:
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Besni |
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Village:
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Yoldüzü |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Aceramic Ceramic |
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| Location: This mound-site is located southwest of the city of Adiyaman; 25 km south of the town of Besni; 1.4 km south of the village of Yoldüzü. |
| Geography and Environment: The mound lies in the fertile Çakirhöyük (Keysun) Plain. It is approximately 5-6 m high and covers a 15 acre area. The southeastern part of the mound is lower. The surface of the mound; which is located on private property; has been leveled. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: Some historic artifacts were found in the soil surrounding the mound. Excavations at the mound were conducted in 1991 and 1992 under the direction of E. Yener and the Adiyaman Museum. The salvage excavation was conducted in order to document the site and the finds. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: In Levzin Höyük; a 5x5 m trench was opened in 1991 in order to determine the stratigraphy of the site. The trench was dug to 4 m depth but virgin soil was not reached. The stratigraphy is as follows: Medieval; Late Roman Period; Ceramic Neolithic and Aceramic Neolithic. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: In the Aceramic Neolithic Layer; the remains of a furnace were found on a yellowish surface. Although some stone foundations were found; because the trench was small; the plan of the structure could not be determined [Yener 1994:286]. In the photograph published with the excavation report; the stones appear to look collapsed. The Ceramic Neolithic architectural remains; on the other hand; have been destroyed by the Late Roman layers. Pottery: Hand-made; dark gray; chaff; sand and mica tempered ceramics were found in the uppermost Neolithic layer. The rest of the Neolithic ware is black; and reddish brown in surface color. The vessel shapes include double lugged bowls and vessels [Yener 1994:fig.3]. Clay Finds: Baked clay human and animal figurine fragments have been found [Yener 1993:fig 14]. Chipped Stone: There is no differentiation in the chipped stone tools at Levzin Höyük in the Ceramic Neolithic and in the Aceramic Neolithic Periods. The raw material used is flint; although obsidian is also occasionally found. Perforators; end scrapers; rounded scrapers; notched blades and knives were found [Yener 1994:fig.7]. Sickle blades suggest that plants were harvested. Excavations at this site also yielded cores and points. Ground Stone: Many celts; grinding stones; mortars and pestles; and stone bowls were found. Bone/Antler: The bone tools seem to be limited. A few awls; beads and spatulas were found as well as a fragment of an antler sickle [Yener 1994:14]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The lower levels of Levzin Höyük; excavated in order to record the Late Roman levels; were less concerned with the lower levels. The ceramic finds in the lower levels have not been described in detail. The large quantities of celts; points and animal bones; suggest that subsistence was based on hunting. It is; however; not certain whether domestication had begun; the fact that sickle blades were found suggests that agriculture was practiced. The chipped stone tool finds resemble those from the site of Hayaz Höyük. Yener believes that the site of Levzin Höyük had an important place both in the Ceramic Neolithic and in the Aceramic Neolithic Periods [Yener 1994:287]. |
