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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Taskun Kale |
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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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830 m |
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Region:
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Eastern Anatolia |
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Province:
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Elazig |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Muratcik |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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EBA III EBA II |
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| Location: It was some 8-9 km far from the Balibey Village; 4 km southeast of Asvan (submerged at present); 31 km northwest of the Elazig Province as the crow flies [French 1973:fig.3]. It is coded under N 52 / 2. |
| Geography and Environment: It was located on the western bank of the Kuruçay Stream; a seasonal one; at the end of the Taskin Valley of the Euphrates. It was one of the biggest mounds of the region. It measured 20 m in height and 150 m in diameter. The mound has been influenced by the lake due to the upper water collection level of the dam. At present; it can be seen like an island from time to time. The eastern and northern slopes had terraces [McNicoll 1973:fig.1-2; Whallon 1979:164-165; fig.61; Sagona 1984:262]. To the south; there were two fresh water springs. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was discovered by R. Whalton and S. Kantman in 1967 under the context of the Keban Project; and excavated by A.McNicoll under D.H. French in 1970. The excavation mainly aimed to bring the castle of the Ilkhanid Period and the remains of the church on the southwestern terrace into the light. It was terminated in 1973. |
| Stratigraphy: It is noted that the mound was first settled during the EBA II and III in parallel to the stratification of the mound of the Asvan Castle and abandoned until the Late Hellenistic Period and then inhabited during the Middle Age. The EBA finds are accompanied with Middle Ages material in almost all trenches. The EBA levels are better observed in trenches S 9 and S 11. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: The trench S 9 yielded a four-cornered structure of mudbrick. It measures 6.5x4.5 m in dimensions. The walls are oriented nearly in the northwest-southeast direction. They are 50 cm thick [Sagona 1984:fig 15]. A horseshoe-like hearth and a bench were revealed in the plastered big room. The function of the four-cornered small room adjacent to it is unclear. Pottery: EBA pottery is rare. The Karaz ware identified as the red-black burnished ware is common. Rail-necked jugs are popular forms. Sherds and vessels of the painting decorated Malatya-Elazig ware were recovered. Patterns of waves; parallel lines; filled in triangles are common. Decorations were applied by red; brown paints on a cream or pink colored wash. Chipped Stone: The only published sample of this industry is a winged spearhead in flint seen starting from the Chalcolithic Age in the region. Both sides of the head are chipped. Metal: A distinctive find of Taskun Kale Höyügü is a bronze chisel. It is one of the unique samples with its quadrangular tang and hexagonal blade [Sagona 1984:fig.160/1]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The EBA settlement of Taskun Kale Höyügü can be considered as a small settlement occupied by the people cultivating the fertile land of the Kuruçay Valley and having an economy dependent on the agriculture. The surrounding area is rich in irrigation facilities [French et al. 1972:49]. |
