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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Yassi Höyük |
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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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1145 m |
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Region:
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Central Anatolia |
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Province:
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Kirsehir |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Karahidir |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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| Location: It lies northeast of the road at the Karahidir junction on Kaman-Kirsehir motorway; south of Karahidir Village; about 20 km northwest of Kirsehir Province. It is located about 25 km east of Kaman Kalehöyük. |
| Geography and Environment: It was also investigated by the Kaman Kalehöyük team. It measures 12.5 m in height and 500 m in diameter. The traces of the pits are visible on the eastern foothill. The villagers remove the soil from this part. The northern part of the flat mound ends in a soft inclination. As a result of the measurements taken during the beginning of the excavations in 2009 the mound is measured as 635 m in east-west direction and 500 m in north-south direction and 13 m in height [Omura 2011:361]. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was discovered by Meriggi. The excavations are initiated in 2009 by Japan-Anatolian Archaeology Institute and are led by M. Omura [Omura 2011.360]. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: The surface collection carried out by the survey team yielded restriction of the EBA settlement on the southern-southeastern slopes. As a result of the measurements taken during the beginning of the excavations in 2009 four structure layers are identified: Structure Layers 1, 2, and 3 belong to Late Iron Age while Structure Layer 4 belongs to MBA [Omura 2011.360]. Three levels were determined in Area 1 located in the center of the mound. Level I: IA Level II: MBA Level III: EBA Although it is not yet certain, Level I is divided into two sub-levels as Late IA (4th-7th century BC) and Middle IA (8th-9th century BC). The radiocarbon analyses of level III, which is represented with architectural remains belonging to EBA, indicate the dates 2260-2135 BC [Omura 2017:343-344]. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: The best preserved one of the three structure layers that belongs to Late Iron Age is the Structure Layer 3. The stone walls are 130 cm thick. There is an oven in the Southwest corner of the building. It is understood that the building in Structure Layer 3 is built after flattening the fire soil that belong to the earlier period [Omura 2011:361]. In 2010, the rooms of R19, R20 and R21 were excavated. Each room belonging to this level yielded carbonized tree remains in high density. Remains of long trees with rectangular and round sections were found parallel to the areas near the walls [Omura 2012:274-275]. During the 2011 studies, a large structure with a distinct symmetrical plan in the building level II was begun to expose. This structure with its courtyard with a large hearth in the center, small rooms that are divided a long narrow corridor and front rooms resemble Yassihöyük Building in terms of plan. The findings recovered from this large palace that went through a heavy fire were examined and it is seen that 3rd and 2nd millennium BC cultures, in other words EBA and MBA cultures were accumulated side by side [Omura 2013:316]. In 2013, the studies continued in the large palace that underwent heavy fire. The partition walls of this structure were removed and the floor of Courtyard R8 in the center of the palace was exposed. An addition in the form of keyhole was made in the circular section of the hearth in the center of R8. A mobile firedog was found on the hearth. Based on the ones found near the north wall of R8, it is believed that there was a pair of firedogs placed face to face in this area. A passage between R27 and R38, located in the south of R8, was found. Both sides of this passage were two times plastered with a thick layer of clay and a thin layer of lime. A pair of deep holes was seen on the thick clay plaster. It is suggested that these holes were used for pivot stone. The floor of corridor R21 located opposite R27 was exposed. Large pithos sherds were found on the floor. Floral remains were detected on two of these sherds. R46, which is connected to Courtyard R8 via R21, has been damaged by a building with basement of IA and a large pit. Almost whole jars, sherds or the pits in which the pithoi were placed indicate that R46 could be used as a storage room. In the wall between R21 and R46, a passage with stairs, which descends from R21 to R46, was found. The studies carried out in the room R48 point that this room could be the corridor in the west of R20 and R41. Sherds belonging to pithoi were found on the floor of R41 as well [Omura 2015]. Pottery: Not many differences are found between the pieces of pottery found in the building levels I, II and III. Most pieces are Late Iron Age pieces which are similar to those found in Layer IIa of Kaman-Kalehöyük. Among the pieces found on the surface some Alishar IV pottery are encountered which were seen in Kaman-Kalehöyük IIc Period [Omura 2011:361]. In 2010, the bullae stamped by seal, red colored potsherds were recovered in this level [Omura 2012:275]. Among the potsherds recovered in 2011, there are small sized painted wares with thin yellow paste in style of "intermediate ware" (it is visible that the bases were cut by string) and sherds belonging to 3rd millennium BC [Omura 2013:315]. The wares recovered from the building level II in 2012 consist of handmade red slipped large jars and medium sized vessels, spouted jars and pitchers. Small plates or bowls were found in small quantity as well. In addition, a large number of potsherds belonging to wheel made cream colored small vessels were recovered. These wares are dated to the EBA-MBA transition period [Omura 2014:420]. Other: The 2013 excavation season yielded stone tools, weights and baked clay spindle whorls. In addition, a clay brush handle and a lion-man figurine made out of lead were found. These finds were recovered from the mixed fill on top of the fill of Level II. The lead lion-man figurine is similar to the ones known from the first quarter of 2nd millennium BC (Assyrian Trade Colonies Period). The figure itself share similarity with the ones depicted on the stamps in Kültepe Kanesh Karum [Omura 2015]. |
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