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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Asitepe |
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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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Flat Settlement and Workshop |
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Altitude:
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550 m |
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Region:
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Black Sea |
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Province:
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Amasya |
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District:
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Suluova |
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Village:
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Dereagil |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Period:
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Early |
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| Location: The site lies northwest of the city of Amasya; 800 m southeast of Suluova District and of Dereagil Village. Asitepe is a local name; it was not given by the researcher. |
| Geography and Environment: The site lies southwest of a narrow valley formed by Kanlipinar Stream; which flows from the ridges of Tüllüçal Tepe; between the slopes of Yassiçal Sirtlari and Keltepe. The eastern side is partially destroyed by a small creek. The dimensions of the site are not reported according to the distribution of the finds. The abundance of flintstone suggests that Asitepe may be a workshop. A survey was made around the site for any flintstone sources. Consequently; a flintstone field was discovered in Aydoganlar Mevkii; approximately 1 km southeast of Asitepe. This quarry was probably used by Asitepe. Asitepe does not have a suitable location for a settlement. No fresh water springs are known to be present around the site except for the creek passing under. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The site was discovered during the Amasya-Suluova Survey conducted by M. Özsait in 1987. |
| Stratigraphy: The exact stratigraphy is not known; because no excavation is conducted yet. It is considered as a one period-settlement; because there were no other finds except for the Chalcolithic Age sherds. |
| Small Finds: Pottery: Sherds of plant and small calcite tempered; grey-black ware; ware with surface colors of red on the exterior; gray on the interior; buff ware with light brown paint-slip on the interior; burnished ware; and well fired wares; dating to the Early Chalcolithic Age were recovered by Özsait from Asitepe [Özsait 1989b:290]. Chipped Stone: The industry is observed to be consisting of abundant flintstone blades and blade cores. Only one obsidian blade shows that obsidian was rarely used as a raw material. Tools are reported to be various by the researcher. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: According to Özsait; the raw material; brought from the flintstone bed; was used and exported by the settlers. The Palaeolithic tools of Asitepe differ from the other sites' tools in technique and variety. An excavation would give important results about workshop technology. The pottery may be dating back to earlier periods than the stone tools. |
