|
©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
Çine Tepecik |
|
|
For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
|
Type:
|
Mound |
|
Altitude:
|
50 m |
|
Region:
|
Aegean |
|
Province:
|
Aydin |
|
District:
|
Çine |
|
Village:
|
Karakollar |
|
Investigation Method:
|
Excavation |
|
Period:
|
|
|
|
|
  |
|
| It lies 3 km southwest of Karakollar Village; northwest of Çine; south of Aydin Province. It measures 9 m in height and 40x120 m in dimensions. A damaged tomb chamber dating to the late periods locates on it. The areas surrounding the mound are destructed by intensive agriculture and on the top of it destruction caused by illicit digging was observed. During the survey conducted by E. Akdeniz in 1995; EBA pottery was collected from the surface [Akdeniz 1997a:239]. It is reported that besides the EBA materials; Chalcolithic and Late Neolithic ceramics were also encountered during S. Günel's survey in 2001. Besides these; 2nd millennium BC and Archaic ceramics were also found [Günel 2003:115]. In 2004 excavations started at the mound under the direction of S. Günel and a chronology extending from 2nd millennium BC to Middle Chalcolithic Age was followed [cat.une.edu.au/page/cine-tepecik%20hoyuk 3.5.2006; 11:30]. A partially preserved cylindrical, groove decorated, handled vessel found at 56.84 m depth, in an area near the northern side of the trench M12, by S. Günel et. al. in 2006, belongs to the red ceramics group. It reminds the types of chalice known through the development of the depas type chalices in terms of its form, handle style, and the type of its connection between the handle and the body of the chalice. It also supports the presence of the EBA level [Günel 2008:74]. It is assumed that the wall consisting of a double course of gathered stones found underneath the MBA level, in the same section at trench M13 belongs to a rectangular planned building. Among the finds revealed along with this building were; a cup with a single handle, chisel decorated spindl whorls, a quadrangle shaped stone axe and a marble schematic idol, and a small bowl type vessel next to this idol which were unearthed at the side of the eastern wall. These finds suggest that these building remains may be dated to EBA [Günel 2008:76]. Round shaped, shallow bowls with direct rims were found among the vessels unearthed at trench N12 at the depths between 57.69-57.59 m. Dark grey colored greyish-brown coated and shiny varnished shallow bowls reflect the usual EBA ceramics tradition in terms of both the surface finishing and the vessel form. The other finds of the EBA culture layer are the obsidian tanged arrowhead, and a conical spindl whorl [Günel 2008:77]. During the 2010 excavation campaign, a graveyard was exposed on the west of the mound. It was found out that the individual in the grave no. G-11belong to a child 3-4 years of age. The skeleton was placed in semi-hocker position. It lies in the east-west direction. To the shoulder-length of the skeleton, a spouted pitcher was left as a burial gift. This dark grey, bright burnished pitcher is dated to EBA. Pottery has been also found on most of the other graves such as pithos graves and pot burials. Among the finds recovered from the mound, there are schematic idols, marble bracelet and a serpentine amulet [Günel 2012:26-27]. During the 2011 campaign, the large building exposed in the trenches of K/12 and L/12 in Level III dated to EBA yielded wares belonging to the beginning of EBA. The building bearing the traces of heavy fire contains red mudbrick blocks and heavily burnt mudbrick soil which spread over a large area. These architectural remains extend towards the south of the mound. The graves belonging to the EBA were encountered on the western excavation sector of the mound. The cluster containing pot sherds and animal bones related to the graves exposed in Trench K/11; the antler found in Trench K/13 and the human remains discovered on the upper layers of it indicate the existence of a funerary ritual associated with deer and dog [Günel 2013:381-382]. In 2011, the studies were also carried out in Level II and I dated to the LBA [Günel 2013:378]. The architectural remains exposed during the 2012 campaign show the existence of two-phased building belonging to Level III and IV. The building yielded potsherds dated to the end of Chalcolithic and EBA. In the earlier phase, pebbles were used in architecture. Coarsely made pots and ground stones are common. The graves discovered in 2012 comprise simple earth graves, jar and pithos burials. The graves yielded skeletons belonging to infants, children and women. It was determined that infants were buried in jars; children and women were inhumed in simple earth graves and pithos. It was also seen that this area were used as a cemetery during a certain period of EBA and the end of Chalcolithic Period [Günel 2014:114-116]. The 2013 season yielded gray slipped and bright burnished jugs and a spindle whorl with enrusted decoration. These finds were found in the north of the EBA structure exposed in 2012. The findings indicate that Level III occupation enlarges towards the north [Günel 2015:291]. |
| Location: It lies 3 km southwest of Karakollar Village; northwest of Çine; south of Aydin Province. |
| Geography and Environment: The oval mound extending in north-south direction in a lowland with cultivated fields locates 1 km east of Çine Stream. The mound widens from north to south and forms a flat view close to the level of plain. It is 40x120 m in dimensions and 9 m in height. A damaged tomb chamber dating to the late periods locates on it. The areas surrounding the mound are destructed by intensive agriculture and on the top of it destruction caused by illicit digging was observed. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: |
| Stratigraphy: |
| Small Finds: |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: |
