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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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SAK Magaralari |
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Type:
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Cave |
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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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Gaziantep |
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District:
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Islahiye |
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Village:
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Sakçagözü |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Period:
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OP ÜP AP |
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| Location: There are a collection of several caves and rock-shelters northwest of the city of Gaziantep; between 2 and 9 km northeast of the village of Sakçagözü. Some of the caves can be reached via the village road that goes to Kütükoba/Kötüoba and Emirler by way of Sakçagözü. The caves have been identified with numbers following the letters SAK; abbreviation for Sakçagözü. SAK 1-3 lie in the Kütükoba rock-outcrop; 3.5 km from the village while SAK 6-9 are at the foot of the graveyard. SAK 10-13 and 19 are located approximately 9 km northeast; and SAK 16 is 5 km northeast of the village. The possible Lower Palaeolithic habitation site; SAK 17; lies 2 km northwest of the village. |
| Geography and Environment: Sakçagözü is rich in flintstone sources; caves and rock-shelters because the region is karstic. The 1995 survey of the region yielded a total of 11 caves and rock-shelters. These cavities; which are between 700 and 1;100 m above sea level; face west and northwest. The entrances vary between 4 and 20 m in height; and the internal cave areas are between 50 and 250 square-meters. While some of the caves are on the terrace beneath the village graveyard; others are in the rocky region between Kütükoba and the Gaziantep border; by the Emiler; Satirhöyük and Kütükoba rock-outcrops. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: A total of 11 Palaeolithic caves and rock-shelters were discovered by a team led by Garrard; who surveyed the Sakçagözü Region. |
| Stratigraphy: |
| Small Finds: Most of the caves and the rock-shelters yielded finds that have been assigned to the Middle Palaeolithic. In addition to Middle Palaeolithic; some Upper Palaeolithic tools were found in SAK 12. The caves closest to the village; SAK 6-9; probably includes the cave where Neolithic and Chalcolithic material was found the previous year (for detailed information see: Harmankaya et al. 1997: Sakçagözü Magarasi). Garrard et al. do not distinguish which of the caves this one might be. The surface finds indicate that the cave is SAK 7. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: |
