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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Bagbasi |
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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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25 m |
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Region:
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Mediterranean |
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Province:
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Antalya |
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District:
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Elmali |
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Village:
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Bagbasi |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Late |
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| Location: It is located 1.5 km east of the Korkuteli-Elmali road; 7 km east-northeast of Elmali; southwest of Antalya. |
| Geography and Environment: The mound lies on the edge of a natural hill overlooking the Elmali plain. The western side of the hill is lower than the plain level while the eastern side is higher. There is a stream on the northern section that flows even in summer. The surface of the settlement is mixed by plowing. In the southern section of the well-watered plain are the Karagöl Sazligi and Avlan Lake which are almost dried. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The mound was excavated by M. Mellink from 1967 until 1969. Excavations were conducted at an area of 1035 m squares; on the eastern slope and at the upper part of the hill. |
| Stratigraphy: Three levels were observed. The first two levels above; date to the Late Chalcolithic Age. The third level is dated to the Middle Chalcolithic Age; and called Alt Bagbasi. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: A proper architecture could not be observed; because the remains were mostly destroyed. It is thought that there are approximately 5-6 structures. They contain one or two rooms. Chaff-tempered mud plastered over wattle-and-daub construction technique is observed [Eslick 1992:15]. The floors were sometimes made of clay. Hearths are also existent. Stone foundation was sometimes used. Ceramics: Hand made sherds in heavy sand tempered; badly-fired wares; ranging in color from gray to yellow; brown and red; were recovered from the 1st and 2nd levels [Eslick 1992:18]. They were burnished after wiping. Bowls; open vessels; and jars are the most common forms. Very few are red decorated. A new ware; differing in technique and decoration; was recovered from the 3rd level. Sherds of sand-tempered; unslipped; thin-walled; and light burnished wares were found. The colors change from orange to black; but they are usually brown. Forms are limited; because a little amount of sherds were found [Eslick 1992:63-65; 78]. Clay: Baked clay pedestals; bead; seal; and spindle-whorls were recovered. Chipped Stone: Blade industry is dominant. Flakes and cores are less in number. Blade; sickles; and diggers were used. Metal: An awl and a flat burin piece were recovered from the Late Chalcolithic Age levels [Eslick 1992:40]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The upper levels of Bagbasi are contemporary with the Late Chalcolithic Age levels of Beycesultan and Aphrodisias VIII B and VII. There are resemblances between Alt Bagbasi and Kuruçay Level 7; Kizilbel and Emporio X-VIII. According to Eslick; this level belongs to the Middle Chalcolithic Age. Bagbasi is an important site for revealing the relations of Antalya Region; Western Anatolia; and the Lake District. |
