©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project

Kortik Tepe

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Kortik Tepe
Type:
 Mound
Altitude:
 500 m
Region:
 Southeastern Anatolia
Province:
 Diyarbakir
District:
 Bismil
Village:
 Agil
Investigation Method:
 Excavation
Period:
 Aceramic

     

Location: The site is located nearby the Agil village and Asagi Sazlik location of Bismil district in Diyarbakir province. It lies between Batman and Bismil; in the area where the Batman Su and Tigris rivers join. It is approximately 14 km southwest of Batman [Özkaya et al. 2002:739].
Geography and Environment: The site covers an area about 50x100 m and being used for agricultural activities today. The settlement of Ziyaret Tepe located to the northeast; is directly connected to Kortik Tepe and represents the later phase of the settlement spreading over a wide area. Asagi Sazlik Mevkii; located to the north of the settlement; is another part of this extent in a similar way [Özkaya et al. 2002:739]. The site has an importance by its close position to the sites of Gre Dimse; Çayönü; Hallan Çemi and Demirköy.
History:
Research and Excavation: The site was discovered in 1991 during the survey conducted by Algaze in the Ilisu Dam Reservoir survey. The excavations were started in 2000 by the University of Dicle; Department of Archaeology and Art History as a part of the METU TAÇDAM Salvage Project of the Archaeological Heritage of the Ilisu and Carchemish Dam Reservoirs. The excavations resumed after 2 years in 2005 [Özkaya 2007:29]. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Stratigraphy: Stone vessel sherds and stone tools were found on the surface soil. Aceramic Neolithic layers were determined beneath the 30-40 cm thick surface soil [Özkaya et al. 2002:739]. This feature of the settlement is similar to Hallan Çemi. During the 2001 season; traces of later periods that have destroyed the original texture were observed. These generally consist of graves and do not include any materials for dating.
Small Finds: Architecture: The walls; built with rough stones; are mostly related to the burials and they are more abundantly seen around them. The remains of the walls do not have an organic integrity. These walls; which were found in all excavated areas; must be built to surround the graves rather than foundations of a building. It is suggested that the compacted floor beneath the surface soil can be the floor of a house. Some fire pits related to the skeletons were determined [Özkaya-San 2002:424]. Stone paved areas with rounded plans were found in 2002. Excavations took place in 8 trenches in 2005. Although the general cultural characters of the trenches reflect the common characteristics; some of the trenches did not contain enough traces of the settlement. The presence of late period destructions in almost all the trenches is remarkable [Özkaya 2007:30-31]. Wall remains were observed suggesting the presence of an almost round shaped building built of rubble stones. Some adobe floors that were not completely preserved; but that give enough information on the possible architectural characters of the settlement in the trench A 13 [Özkaya 2007:31]. At trench A 17 which is at 1.43 m depth round planned wall parts made with a single course of stones were revealed which are tangent to each other starting at approximately 0.92 cm depth [Özkaya 2007:35]. The 2006 campaign was realized within 12 trenches including the eastern and western wings of the mound. In contrary to the previous excavations important data was collected pointing out the presence of stone buildings and the structuring [Özkaya et al. 2008:353]. It was found that the floors of the houses were compacted or paved by pebbles. Still the data was found to be in sufficiant to identify the architectural texture [Özkaya et al. 2008:353]. It was performed inside 21 trenches on an area of 525 square meters during 2007 campaign and it was found that Aceramic Neolithic settlement covered at least six building levels. All residences are round planned as witnessed in the early settlements known in near eastern regions. The walls of buildings which generally stand alone, are adjacent on some levels. Besides, some buildings were found which were built for storage purposes [Özkaya et al. 2009:88]. Data from 2005-2008 excavations suggested the settlement contained at least six different building phases. Each phase contains circular planned houses. These usually consist of a single course of untouched stones, and compressed soil floors. The buildings are represented by three types, the first type is the circular planned structures. These have foundations consisting of plain and untouched courses of stones in common. The second group has floors paved with small and medium size stones. These are believed to be cereal storage places since dense vegetation remains were found inside. Only three specimens of this group were unearthed which is represented by larger structures. The floor consists of compressed soil [Özkaya et al. 2010:517-518]. The round-planned building with a 2.85 m diameter which was unearthed in 2009 excavations in the A81 (M16-3) trench in 1.31 m deep is the most important remains of Pre-pottery Neolithic in this region. With its floor texture and foundation made of non-regular stones this building is not different from those known from the mound. The level that this building is encountered is the level that Middle Age Remains are intense, which is a fact that demonstrates the destruction [Özkaya-Coskun 2011:86-87]. Intramural graves are found as well in all of the buildings unearthed in other trenches [Özkaya-Coţkun 2011:83-89]. The 2010 excavation campaign was carried outing 12 trenches which measure 5.00x5.00 m. Five foundations of rounded building belonging to Pre Pottery Neolithic were discovered. Three of them have the same floor plan. The traces of rounded framework, which were found on the remains of loamy plaster of one of the buildings, gave a clue about the roofing system of the buildings [Özkaya et al. 2012:317]. During the 2014 excavation campaign, the studies were carried out in Trench A139 (G22-2). In order to detect the continuation of the pebble-paved floors, which show no particular plan, a depth of 5.31 m of soil was dug. Floors belonging to two silos (S83 and S84) were found at depths of 2.23 and 2.27 m. The studies carried out in Trench A141 yielded remains of a round building, labeled as Y115, belonging to PPNA and these partially preserved remains were exposed at a depth of 120 cm in Grid A1. At a depth of 502 cm in Trench A149, floors belonging to two separate silos, numbered as S100, were unearthed. These silos show no difference from the others in terms of the sizes of floor and pavement technique and the density of the silos in the area indicates that particular sections of the settlement have been deliberately arranged as food storage. The fact that the silos were unearthed at different depths show that this tradition goes back to the very beginning of the settlement [Özkaya et al. 2016:2-3]. The 2015 excavation campaign focused on buildings and silos. The results of C14 analysis shows that the Pit House (ÇE1-Çukur Ev), which was taken this name due to the pit opened on its floor, located in the grids of D1 and D2 of Trench A141 might be dated to Younger Dryas Period. The studies were conducted in the grids of C1-2 and D1-2 in order to expose the plan of this house and the studies yielded that this house named ÇE1 was larger than previously thought. The remains indicate that the house was used in short period of time and destructed due to fire. In the grids of A3-5 and B3-5 of the same trench, the remains belonging to another pit house, which bears similar characteristics with the one found in the grids D1 and D2, were exposed. This house, named ÇE2, was relatively less preserved and it yielded mainly animal bones as in ÇE1. C14 analysis of the samples taken from Trench A154 in 2014 results that the settlement might have been inhabited during the early period of 11th millennium BC as well. It is known that some of the silos dispersed all over the settlement. However, the 2015 studies show that some of these are clustered in certain parts, especially the southeast section, of the mound. Therefore, it can be suggested that these sections were intentionally arranged. The high quantity of silos indicates the existence of house-based nutrition, which was generally seen in more developed communities, rather than the variety of storage goods. Although the inhabitants of Kortik Tepe adopted hunter-gatherer way of life, it is possible to suggest that all the conditions necessary for the sedentary life were developed in the settlement. Ground Stone: Stone bowls were encountered very abundantly; a few of them are undecorated and the others are geometrical incised decorated. Because they were found together with the skeletons; these bowls were evaluated as tomb offerings. Except for one single example placed on the chest of a skeleton; all of them were found broken and according to this; the researchers have suggested that the bowls were put in the burials in pieces. The majority of the bowls were made of chlorit stone and they generally have similar production techniques. Their common characteristics are simple rims and flat bases. They can be classified according to the forms. The first group consists of undecorated plain bowls; open vessels and oval vessels with vertical deep bodies narrowing through the base. Holes were observed on the rims of these bowls [Özkaya et al. 2002:741]. The second group is similar to the first one in forms; it consists of plain incised decorated bowls making differences with their decorations on the rims or on the horizontal bands on the bodies; squat globular bodied bowls with inverted rims; open chalices narrowing vertically in the base and flat cylindrical bodied vessels [Özkaya et al. 2002:741; 742]. The third group includes globular bodied deep bowls and bigger sized squat oval-cylindrical bodied chalice-like bowls. The rich geometrical decorations consist of repetitions on horizontal bands; but they cover the whole surface on the chalices [Özkaya et al. 2002: 742]. Besides the plain and decorated bowls; a small number of figurated examples were encountered. The animal figures on a vase sherd with simple rim and cylindrical body are interesting. Scorpions; snakes and a bird (?) are the animals that could be identified. These decorations were probably made by using flint or obsidian tools. It is suggested that the stone bowls have a development from the plain examples to the decorated ones. This development can also be observed in production techniques; wall thickness and formal variety. There are some cases that the two examples were found together. This can be interpreted as the production for different tastes or the continuity of the old tradition with the new bowls [Özkaya-San 2003:425;426]. The stone vessels found during the excavations in 2005 were made mostly of a black stone called chlorite; a few samples were made of marble-like stones. The second group of vessels were different than the others because they were coarse and had no ornaments on them. It is known that chlorite is not a locally available stone; and its source is unknown. The stone vessels were either grave gifts; and broken along with the skeletons; or as rare finds and free from other materials; depending on how they were found. In addition to their production as grave gifts; it is found according to the way they were revealed; that they were also used for daily needs as well. The difference between these two grooups is that the grave gifts have better quality workmanship; and decorations. It is observed that the "piercings" in their rims for hanging those items with strings; and the decorations on their surfaces have something in common. It is possible to classify the stone vessels into two groups based on their decorations. The first group is the plain ones; the second consists of the richly decorated ones. Plain vases have plain and glazed surfaces; some samples carry thinly carved bands in their rims. Samples with rich geometrical decorations have diversity in terms of their motifs. The care observed in the decoration which is in harmony with the vessels' forms; suggest the development in the aesthetical concerns. When stylistically examined they generally have bowl shaped deep bodies; with much variety and rich repertoire in forms. Careful workmanship can be observed on the vessels. They sometimes possess some form deformities due to the authenticity of the raw material they were worked with. The decoration offers plain geometrical characters in all samples. Additionally extremely unique samples were found; which represent the art concept; and the religious beliefs of the period based on the figures they cary on themselves that were rarely found during the previous excavation season [Özkaya 2007:36]. Besides the stone bowls; oval; pierced objects made of limestone and a local blackish stone; bigger; pierced limestone objects (probably big beads); and cylindrical beads made of claret colored flint were also found [Özkaya et al. 2002: 742]. Stone tools for different purposes such as hand mills; grinding stones; scepter heads and pestles are available. One of the most significant grave goods is the necklace; which was found in situ and in the original string; made of 347 scale-shaped greenish stone beads [Özkaya-San 2002:427]. The other assemblage directly related to the graves consists of offering stones (?). These in situ found stones are large and their purpose of production was not determined because they have no usage traces [Özkaya-San 2003:424;425]. On a total of five almost rectangular shaped stone objects with animal figures were encountered. One of them is on a broken axe. On a similar example is a human figure drawn from the front. Another unique stone find is a stylized human figure with a long body found in two pieces [Özkaya-san 2003:427-428]. 2005 excavations show that the flintstone was more preferable in the production of the tools due to their availability from local resources. Having different forms targeted at different usages; those tools consist of axes; stone tools with cavities in their centers possibly used for routine daily needs; wand heads; grinding stones; and whetstones; and pestles. Axes are in the first line for their numerous amount. Although axes were made with various stone types; and in different sizes; they all bear the similar formal characteristics. As no traces related to their usage could be found on the axes as grave finds; others carry the dense wear generated by frequent usage [Özkaya 2007:37]. The flintstone; chlorite and few serpentine beads show diversity in terms of their sizes and forms. Although found near the feet; neck; and the wrists of the skeletons as burial gifts; some were found inside the vessels as well. The finds that show common characteristics with the ones found in the contemporary settlements in the region in terms of material; workmanhip techniques; form and other characteristics; they are particularly significant for the comprehension of the regional relationships of that period [Özkaya 2007:37]. A single sample of the figured stone objects was revealed; which were previously found in the 2001 excavartion season. A half-broken unidentifiable type of object; with a complex creature figure on it; worked on chlorite was found as a survey find. The figure that resembles to a scorpion; was made on a chlorite fragment through an embossment technique. Chlorite was actually the material for stone vessel production. There are drawing details on the fragment reminding of the fly wings and also circles in one another. Although it does not reflect a direct unity with the others in terms of form; the unidentified complex creature figure reflects a depictional unity. In addition to this; it is in the form of a unique work of art with its worked glazed chlorite object containing double punctures; and carefully carved decorations on its surface. The carefully glazed object exhibits a work of art quality; containing flocks of wavy lines; and circles in each other in the middle; that open on both sides on the edges of a rectangular-like area; carved around the double punctures in the center. The use of circles in each other on both objects may be interpreted as they were produced with similar concerns; or they were each other's contemporaries [Özkaya 2007:37-38]. Among the burial gifts that reflect common characteristics found during 2007 campaign based on their types, craftsmanship techniques, type variety and quantitative superiority the first group consists of beads which were made with similar craftsmanship. They were made using burgundy colored stones which are characteristically soft and which remind of several questions including their elaborate craftsmanship, cylindrical structures, and very thin grooves. The quantitative status of finds inside the graves varied according to the economic and social status of the dead. The stone vessles were usually found in the form of burial gift or an item which found daily usage. The difference between two groups, is that the burial gifts are more elaborate. The specimens from both groups have perforations on the rims for "hanging" purpose and the general decoration performed on their surface which are common characteristics. The stone vessels can be analyzed in two groups based on their decorations. These are the plain ones and the ones decorated with geometric and other figures. Chlorite which is easily formed was preferred for stone vessel production. The bifaces produced with local stones were found as burial gifts besides that they were found at different locations. The 14 pieces of stone items carrying figures found in 2007 are another group of finds. Besides the fantastic creatures on their surfaces antilopes were also observed [Özkaya et al. 2009:95-98]. Most of the stone vessels found in 2008 were built of easily frayed hard chlorite stones. Besides these, although low in quantity coarse specimens produced of limestone and silica as well. Some of the specimens produced of greyish/greenish chlorite were decorated with elaborately worked chiseled geometrical and natural motives [Özkaya et al. 2010:514]. The other dense assemblage which consists of pestles were also made mainly of chlorite as in the case of stone vessels but there are also some rare sandstone specimens. The handles of the majority of specimens were formed in various natural figures and also in a very stylized way. Among identified motives there are dense goat's heads, and these are represented by either straight or curved horns. Another assemblage consists of stone axes. Most of the axes were found broken into two pieces and left inside the graves as burial gifts, and these have various features in terms of their forms. Their common features are the shaft holes placed in the middle section and the wear deriving from frequent use in both ends [Özkaya et al. 2010:515]. During the 2014 studies, stone axes shaped in ground stone technique belonging to PPNA were found in Trench A158 (K21-3) [Özkaya et al. 2016:6]. In 2015 studies, various ground stone finds were found. 31 stone bowls were unearthed and it was seen that the majority of them were made out of chlorite and marmoreal limestone. The chlorite ones show rich variety in terms of form, decoration and other features. The stone bowls are symmetrical in form thanks to the raw material in which they were produced and they are categorized under two groups as plain and incised according to the decoration which they bear. The dominant forms are oval deep bowls, narrow based bowls with conical body, large, thick walled deep bowls and oval shallow pots. The vast majority of them were used as grave goods and they were recovered as broken pieces that they were deliberately placed. The decorative elements mainly consist of geometric patterns that were made with obsidian. Triangles with incised slanted lines are the dominant decoration type. Marmoreal limestone wares were found as broken pieces in burial contexts. These wares are plain and bear no decorative elements. The third group consists of wares made out of sandstone. They are more roughly made in comparison to the other groups and they have asymmetrical shapes. They mainly consist of deep shallow bowls with rounded base and rectangular-like shaped deep pots that were formed in accordance with the form of raw material. It is believed that they could have been used for grinding food. The pestles are also among the important finds. 140 complete pestles were found apart from a large number of partially preserved specimens. Although they were made out of different kinds of raw materials, the dominant raw materials are andesite and basalt. The ones made of chlorite were mainly used for ritual purposes. The pestles are divided into two groups: plain functional ones and the ones with zoomorphic ends. The latter is divided into two subgroups as cylindrical body and flat body. The bodies were generally well made and they have mat, smooth surface. There are breakages and use wear that are reflected on the upper ends and mainly large-surface bottom ends. The upper ends of zoomorphic ones were shaped like ibex, turtle or dog head and so on. While some of them bear abstract expression, some have anatomical features such as mouth, nostril, and eye. 79 complete stone tools were found. These stone tools can be divided into subgroups that reflect the formal characteristics of stone axes, hammers, adzes, axes and similar tools which are known to be made of limestone, as well as hard rocks such as basalt and marble, and mainly andesite. They have blunt edge, bulgy and oval body and a single shaft hole. Most of them bear use wear and the vast majority of the ones found in burial contexts were recovered as two broken pieces. Like the stone axes, these tools with shaft hole were also made of basalt, andesite, marble, limestone and other kinds of rocks and they reflect the formal characteristics of stone axes. Contrary to stone axes, they have deep or shallow holes that were made in the center of their bodies. These holes, both sides of which were generally worked, could have provided convenience to grasping stone. Mace heads were commonly made of chlorite and shiny, colorful stones. The low rate of use wear suggests that these tools could have been used for ritual purposes. They have generally flattened globular bodies, smooth edges with oval ends, bright surfaces and smooth shaft holes [Özkaya et al. 2017:14-16]. Chipped Stone: Triangular geometrical microliths; made of obsidian and flint; were found. Various scarpers; arrowheads and spearheads; and blades were also encountered [Özkaya-San 2002:426; 427]. Local flint was used more commonly and the small amount of obsidian was probably imported [Özkaya-San 2003:430]. Mortars worked on a local kind of hard rock were found widespread inside all trenches. The mortars come in various sizes. They have clear signs of wear due to their frequent usage. They were possibly used for grinding grains for nutrition. This shows the presence of their nutritional customs [Özkaya 2007:39]. This period's excavations revealed some objects that resemble to figurines known as goddesses in the Medditerranean based on their cylindrical; or rectangular bodies; with their upper parts finished in half moon shape. Although very few; the finds are supposedly religious figurines. They represent the mother goddess in the Neolithic Period; the presence of which is archaeologically conceived in the near localities. Therefore it is possible to state that the belief tradition had developed at Körtik Tepe [Özkaya 2007:39]. The tools made of flintstone have the majority among the chip stone finds. Another group consists of the obsidian tools. The fact that obsidian was provided from foreign resources show that Körtik Tepe was a center in relation with its neighborhood [Özkaya 2007:39]. 667 rubble, 30 cores and 639 micro and macro level chipped stone specimens were analysed during 2007 campaign. Among the chipped stones the material that was used the most was flintstone. Obsidian material follows this quantitatively. A very small amount of quartz was encountered. It is observed that Kortik Tepe flintstones have specification differentiations specific to this location. The brown and grey local flintstones are the most preferred type. The greenish color easily observed within the transparent structure of the obsidian found in Kortik Tepe is proof of presence of the material transported from East Anatolia. Based on core typology 13 different category was identified inside a total of 30 cores. The quantitative superiority within these are the amorphous cores. Among the pillars the superiority belongs to flakes. This is followed by blades. The only missing evidence for a knapping process performed inside the settlement is the lack of cores. Based on pillar butts flat butts are the most encountered type among chipped stone knapping products and a proof that hammer was strongly struck. Based on the blades and bladelets line-formed butt forms are common. Mentioning an intensity of geometric microlytes at Kortik Tepe based on chipped stone typology would prove wrong since there is a lack of classic and well known massif arrowhead types. But the presence of crescent moon formed specimens among finds, new results may be achieved on new type of weaponry and hunting strategies (Özkaya et al. 2009: 90-95]. 3473 chipped stone material were analyzed in 2008. 1449 of these are waste material, 41 are cores and 1983 pieces are micro and macro level chipped stone products. There are more silex specimens than there are obsidian specimens. The presence of a large amount of silex and low amount of obsidian specimens among waste material suggest less attention was paid in the production using locally available silex but there was a careful production with imported obsidian material. 68% of the chipped products contained chip technology, 32% contained blade and bladelet technology [Özkaya et al. 2010:520-521]. The 2015 studies concentrated on analysis. The presence of a large number of "Nemrik points" is of great importance in understanding the relations of Körtik Tepe with its contemporaries. These points, which are seen especially in North Mesopotamia and known from Upper Euphrates cultures, are typical for PPNA. These points, the length of which ranges between 2 cm to 4 cm, were recovered mainly in the upper levels of the mound. Another interesting find group consists of points with concave bottom. These points have a single notch on each lateral edge. Although these notches are not very distinctive, the points with concave bottom are typical for Pre Pottery A in Levant Region. These points are not generally seen in Upper Tigris Basin. However, this shows that the settlements in Upper Tigris Basin in somewhat interacted with Levant Region. Apart from Nemrik and El-Khiam points, the settlement yielded grinding stones. These grinding stones, like the other stone tools, were made of hard rocks and flintstones. They have heavy bodies and they are in oval-globular shape. The surfaces were flattened due to abrasion [Özkaya et al. 2017: 6,16]. Bone/Antler: Although in small numbers; bone finds were encountered in all excavated areas. Besides the raw bones; various animal bones and shells that were probably treated in order to make jewelry. The 2005 excavations produced advanced samples of bone tools; as well as various and quality finds formed by chip stone and flint stone technique. This kind of finds were unearthed independently; and as burial gifts as well. The in situ finds which were mostly burial gifts were of better quality in terms of workmanship; and other characteristics; and they were produced based on artistic concerns therefore represent an advanced art conception. Although very few; bone objects were found as well which were decorated by a specific carving technique on their surfaces. Besides the singular finds; almost all of the bone tools were glazed and undecorated; and most of them were unearthed in fragments; but their forms were identifiable. There is also one specific find among the bone tools generally used as piercing tools; formed like a saw on one side; but its purpose is to be identified. Its glazed surface; and that its tooth lacks any signs of wear; suggest that it was used as jewelry [Özkaya 2007:38-39]. Among 2007 campaign finds the bone tools contain three different finds which were not encountered inside contemporary neolithic settlements. One of these was found as a burial gift on which two wild goats and a tree were described. The other two contain similar motifs. The decoration contains vertically arranged chiseled lozenge-patterns, thus making it the unique application of geometric craftsmanship. The other functional tools composed of bones are awls and blades [Özkaya et al. 2009:98]. 2008 campaign also showed that Kortik Tepe contains dense assemblage of bone articrafts. Most of the bone artifacts consist of awls and blades. Decorated bone plates are specific to Kortik Tepe. Two mountain-goat figures were worked on one of the three plates which are unearthed burial gifts. The goat figures were made using chisel technique and are also observed on stone vessels made with similar technique. The figure was partially preserved on the second; a scorpion worked by chisel technique is observed; the other one contains a vertically placed snake figure made with zigzag technique with a triangle head. The depiction technique on the snake figure also reflects the common characteristics observed on the first one [Özkaya et al. 2010:516]. Bone objects which undoubtedly have religious content are captured in 2009 excavations as well [Özkaya-Coskun 2011:92]. The presence of a large number of beads and amulets recovered in 2015 excavation studies reveals that the bones were also used for aesthetic purposes. The dominant bead group consists of beads made of bones of four-legged animals, including beads with long-cylindrical bodies made of hollow bird bones and these were used for adornment and ritual purposes. The ones used for adornment show different forms and they were generally perforated. The surfaces have deep grooved geometric decoration. 331 bone tools were found. The awls are in large quantity. Although the awls made of deer bones were worked in a different way, they could have functioned as the other ones. Unworked upper ends, pointed bottom ends and burnished surfaces are common features of these awls. Only a few of them bear geometric patterns comprised of grooves on their surfaces. These patterns generally consist of various geometric patterns that were horizontally arranged. The second largest group of bone tools is needles. Even though the lengths vary, pointed bottom ends, horizontally arranged single-hole upper ends and burnished surfaces are common features of these tools. There are also awl-like functional types with two sharp ends and cylindrical body. Unperforated blunt needles with sharp ends are notably high in quantity as well. There are also roughly burnished tools made out of horns with unworked bottom ends. It is thought that these tools may have been used as weapons. The pointed, open and oval-edged rims are common features of these tools. The other group consists of bone sickles. These tools resemble awls in terms of form and they have deep grooves on their long lateral edges. The surfaces were carefully burnished. These tools, which were used with obsidian microlites placed in the grooves on their edges, indicate an advanced economy for the period in question. Bone spoons are one of the important groups of bone tools. The wide oval shaped mouths were formed like a bowl. The upper ends are sharpened. Some of them have geometric patterns on the curved surfaces [Özkaya et al. 2017:12-13]. Human Remains: The skeletons were seriously damaged due to being immediately beneath the surface. The burials were placed on compressed soil; most of them in east-west and others in different directions; on their backs or hocker positions. Different burial types and the offerings can be interpreted as the existence of more than one local burial customs. The offerings are generally small flint beads; tools made of different raw materials (flint; obsidian; diabase; limestone) and stone bowls produced with the abrasion technique. The little number of animal bones found with the skeletons is thought to be the traces of the cult of the dead ceremonies. The Neolithic skeletons found during the 2005 excavation period; were buried in hocker style; and showed similar burial customs with the ones found in the upper layers [Özkaya 2007:31]. Besides reflecting the Aceramic Neolithic characteristics of the settlement, the 2006 burial finds also gave the opportunity to compare them to their contemporaries in terms of common burial traditions specific to the location and the region. Although there are some differences in the practice which may be interpreted as the presence of different burial traditions based on the preservation types of the skeletons, the fact that within the area of research, the skeletons were inside some round planned residence type of buildings and underneath the compacted soil of the floor suggest possible presence of intramural burial tradition, and this also suggests that permanent settlement was provided and some of the tendencies became rules. Considering the authentic levels where the burials were identified, although not obvious, the Aceramic Neolithic phase continued inside different levels at the settlement. On one side there are differences in burial practices and the general texture of the burials, on the other side the burial presents bear a homogenous structure which proves that all belong to different phases of the same period. The first group among burial gifts based on their craftsmanship techniques, type diversity and majority in number consist of beads generally bearing the similar craftsmanship. The beads which were produced of mostly burgundy, and a few in white, yellow and black colored stones were found near the foot, neck and wrists of the skeletons as burial presents, but some were also found inside stone boxes. In addition to these, although a few, the presence of serpentine beads and neatly chisel decorated stone objects was also observed, which demonstrates the richness of the burial presents [Özkaya et al. 2008: 354-356]. Votive stones as burial presents are also authentic finds. Again although they are very few the presence of andesite votive stones was observed, which were generally made of creamy white stones. These finds are broad and round at the bottom; their rims were lightly fluffed up and moulded, their surfaces are somewhat concave, and the sizes of these vessels differ [Özkaya et al. 2008:359]. 2007 researches led to results that support previous findings. Besides, although not common, some paint decorations that consist of wavy lines were observed on human bones. In addition to this although low in quantity some skeletons were preserved without skulls. It is assumed that the burial gifts are different when compared to regional specimens due to local traditions. Another common application is that the skeletons were covered with ochre then with liquid lime [Özkaya et al. 2009:89-90]. 168 graves were unearthed during 2008 campaign. 135 of these are Aceramic Neolithic, the others belong to late period. 96 of 135 skeletons were buried in hocker, 5 in semi-hocker type. Others are unidentified due to their scattered condition. When assessed in terms of the finds 76 contained burial presents that differed in quantity and kind 50 lacked the equipment, the others were not identified due to destruction. Majority of burials were placed underneath house floors. Besides various burial practices the graves contain different burial presents mostly worked on stone objects such as vessels, axes, pestles, mortar, grinding stone, beads and cutting/piercing tools [Özkaya et al. 2010:513-514]. 115 skeletons are unearthed in 2009 that belong to Pre-pottery Neolithic Age. Only 77 of those graves contain in situ presents to the dead. 58 of the skeletons are plastered, while 60 are covered with ochre. When the graves are classified based on their locations 58 are intramural, 6 are extramural, and 51 are unknown. This table shows the existence of both intramural and extramural burial tradition in Körtik Hill. On some of the skeletons just thick stripes made by red ochre are observed, while delicate parallel line decorations are observed on the arm and leg bones made by black and red ochre. The ochre decorations are not only applied on the long bones but also applied on the plaster coating the skeleton. Turtle shells are found buried together with 9 skeletons. A stone object that was finished by a turtle head made of chlorite as well as these burials brings to mind a cult associated with turtle [Özkaya-Coskun 2011:90-91]. In 2010, 49 skeletons belonging to Pre Pottery Neolithic were found. While 44 of them were in hocker position, one of them was placed in semi-hocker. The burial positions of the rest of the skeletons couldn't be identified due to being damaged. 17 of the skeletons are covered with plaster, the rest of them are left as they were. 13 of the plastered skeletons are covered with ochre as well. Except from 6 skeletons, all of them were found outside the residential area. The skulls, arm and leg bones of some of the plastered skeletons were decorated with wavy lines in red-brown and black. The find called "ochre applicator" by the excavation team which was used for making decoration on bones was found within the context of a plastered skeleton. There are stone bowls, stone tools and net and loom weights, beads and ornaments made by various stones, shells and hard stalk parts of the feather, flint and obsidian tools among the burial finds [Özkaya et al. 2012:317]. During the 2014 studies, a hocker burial, which lies in the north-south direction, was recovered in Grids D,C;2 of Trench A139 at a depth of -300 cm. This burial clearly shows the existence of PPNA settlement of the mound. Together with the ochre found on the burial's femur, obsidian and flintstone fragments were found. In Trench 154, a hocker burial (M6) was exposed at a depth of -187 cm. Flinstone and obsidian fragments, fish spines, stone bowl and a large number of stone and shell beads (2.916 in total) were found in this burial. In Trench 147 (K21-3), the burial named M5 yielded a horn, obsidian and flintstone fragments, fish spine, 6 stone axes and stone axe fragments. The presence of floral remains and traces of roughly woven textiles on some of these stone axes gives a clue about burial customs and manufacturing traditions. 55 individiuals were found in 51 graves belonging to PPNA. Two of these graves contain double burials and one of them has triple burials. 10 infants, 12 children and 33 adults were recovered. No orientation pattern is determined in PPN graves exposed at Körtik Tepe so far. 2014 studies are also support this data. The burials recovered during the previous excavation seasons were found in hocker and semi-hocker position. However, burials in hocker position are dominant. In 21 of the graves, the burials were completely or partially plastered. It is observed that the ones completely covered with plaster have been totally or partially destructed in time [Özkaya et al. 2016:2, 6, 9, 12-13]. During the 2015 excavation studies, 98 individuals were found in 93 graves belonging to PPN. 5 of them contain double burials, while 88 of them consist of single interments. 66 adults, 18 children and 14 infants were determined. The burial that was laid on his/her back is noteworthy. 62 individuals were buried in hocker position. However, no orientation pattern was determined among these burials. The double burials that cause speculative interpretations are known from different periods and different settlements in the Near East. During the 2015 season, 5 double burials were found at Körtik Tepe. The plaster was applied to the individuals in 22 graves, one of which was a double burial. Plaster was applied both partially and completely. Although both red and black ochre were seen on unplastered burials, red ochre is more common. 46 graves contain no grave goods. However, a great number of grave goods in various qualities were found in 47 graves. These graves were rather found in the west of the mound. Some of them contain a single bead or a simple stone tool, while some of them yielded stone bowls and stone tools including a great number of beads. In the child burial named M1, 29 shell beads and 675 stone beads were found. However, the burial named M2, which was recovered in the same trench, has much more grave goods. The child burial exposed in Trench A189 was completely plastered. This grave contains stone bowl fragments, a stone tool with a hole, a fishhook and a needle fragment. In the burial named M4 (AGZA), a grinding stone, 196 shell beads and 209 stone beads were found. These grave goods, the skeleton and the floor of grave were burnt and blackened [Özkaya et al. 2017:7-10]. Other: The beads that were mostly unearhthed as burial presents, compose the other important assemblage of Kortik Tepe. They offer a large variety of work techniques, forms and other features primarily by being worked on soft stones in burgundy color. Besides these they differ in terms of their dimensions. The depressed oval body, long serpentine beads suggest an improved gusto [Özkaya et al. 2010:516]. The 2014 studies, which were conducted in eight separate trenches at different depths (A59, A139, A140, A141, A 142, A143, A149, A150) in order to determine the character and spread of the settlement in the north and northeast sections) yielded significant results. The excavation studies, which is the successor of previous excavations, carried out in A59 (G23-1) continued between the depths of -113 cm / -300 cm and fragments of obsidian and flintstone tools, mussel shells and animal bones, which represent the general cultural characteristics of the mound, were revealed. The cluster of animal bones, obsidian and flintstone tools and stone axes, which were found scattered in Trench A147 (K213), is also of interest. In the same trench, the floor of a silo belonging to PPNA was found as well as the graves dated to PPNA. The rest of finds revealed in the trench mainly consists of obsidian and flintstone fragments, mussel shells and animal bones [Özkaya et al. 2016:2, 9]. The 2015 studies yielded a great number of beads made out of different materials. The raw materials of the bead can be distinguished as two main groups: stone and bones. Stone beads were mainly produced from chlorite but andesite, limestone, serpentine, marble, obsidian, basalt, sandstone and various colored stones were also used. The cylindrical ring beads made of maroon colored stones consist the first group of the beads showing different typological features. Although they vary in size, they show similar typological features. Their thin cylindrical bodies and centered holes make them fine skill products. The second group consists of serpentine beads that have similar characteristics. The single-hole beads, which were made of bright black, red, brown colored and bright colored, veined, small stones, are also of interest. Apart from these beads resembling modern beads, the other group consists of amulets produced from various colored (mainly maroon) stones. Although they vary in size, they generally have flat surface, oval body with rounded edge and single hole. Only one obsidian bead was found. The beads showing anthropomorphic features are also important in that they indicate the development degree of the chipped stone industry. The weights, which were produced from fossil rocks, andesite, basalt, limestone and marble, were used for two main purposes: fishing line, netting and weaving weight. Although the ones produced from fossil rocks vary in size, volume and style, their natural forms were preserved and one or two hanging holes were added [Özkaya et al. 2017:13-14, 16].
Remains:
Interpretation and Dating: Kortik Tepe is a part of the developed cultural series of the Neolithic culture in Eastern Anatolia; which is represented by settlements such as Çayönü; Nevali Çori; Demirköy and Hallan Çemi; beginning from the 10th thousand BC. Although it has similarities with the contemporary settlements; Kortik Tepe is a representative of a more developed Aceramic Neolithic culture in details. Based on these similarities; it is believed that Kortik Tepe had extroverted structure rather than being the representative of a closed local culture [Özkaya-San 2003:430]. The chip stone tools unearthed during the excavations in 2005 prove that this location was a settlement. The finds show that there was a well-established chip stone tool production tradition in Kortik Tepe [Özkaya 2007:37]. Besides the adobe remains in the areas that were excavated the fact that round planned structures connected to graves were unearthed exposed the presence of broad architectural structuring in the region. The presence of a generally round, mazy planned stone architecture suggests the parallelism of the settlement with its contemporaries [Özkaya et al. 2008:353]. Kortik Tepe bears the sedentary settlement characteristics without being related with the alimentation production, which is similar to the earliest Upper Mesopotamian settlements. The material cultural remains which survived until present show that the settlers of Kortik Tepe developed in terms of socio-cultural structures and belief systems based on this feature of the settlement. The creativity which coalesced with the quality of craftsmanship and aesthetic considerations observed in the production of stone vessels and tools was possibly described on stone objects with cult functions. The competence in the art of figure description is comparatively stimulative at Kortik Tepe in comparison to its contemporaries, in terms of an advanced culture [Özkaya et al. 2008:354]. Presence of houses partially consisting of adjoining buildings suggest a rather continuous than a temporary type of settlement as the 2007 campaign revealed, and the presence of storage buildings support that [Özkaya et al. 2009:88]. The application of painted wavy line decorations on human bones suggest the implementations on skeletons before burial, and removal of soft tissue from the bones [Özkaya et al. 2009:89]. The constant implementations such as burial types and furnishing the graves with a large amount of gifts may be interpreted as the impression of the development of beliefs at mound settlements or complexities in understanding and interpretation of comprehensive rituals [Özkaya et al. 2009:90]. The majority of amorphous cores obtained in 2007 campaign is like an indicator of utilitarian knapping strategy. This situation maybe explained by the loss of existing typology through the continuing blade core knapping and transformed into amorphous forms [Özkaya et al. 2009:91]. The superiority of all elements without fragments within 638 micro and macro chipped stone items either suggest lack of trampling phenomenon or that some parts were never used orthese parts were intentionally not broken by the people [Özkaya et al. 2009:92]. In Anatolia stone vessels similar to Kortik Tepe specimens in terms of material and craftsmanship are primarily observed at Hallan Çemi [Özkaya et al. 2010:514]. As for the architecture Kortik Tepe was a considerably large settlement for its time. Based on faunal assessment results the settlement preserved its hunter-gatherer tradition as suggested by the identified structures [özkaya et al. 2010:519]. The data apart from the architectural remains, graves, and related findings gathered from the 2009 studies show that a resident regime and an advanced culture compared to its period was established. High number of mortars and grindstones found in various locations point to intense food production. High quantity of bone fish hooks show the existence of a tradition of nutrition based on fishing as well. These findings are also utilised as presents to the dead. And the high number of storage units is also a pointer on the same subject. The cultural structure perceived in the social way of life is repeated in the graves. Besides unique applications such as existence of turtle skeletons in graves, stylized phallus-like objects processed with chlorite stress the need to think about the unknown parts of the belief traditions of the period [Özkaya-Coţkun 2011.91-92]. The 2010 studies yielded very important conclusions. The presence of round planned stone architecture suggests the parallelism of the Körtik (Kortik) Hill with its contemporaries. According to burial practices and burial gifts of Pre Pottery Neolithic and the traditional practices which were applied to the burials, the period in question shows the presence of 6 different architectural phases. Körtik Hill has an importance to show that the agricultural practices were not the only driving force in the period of the transition to sedentism on the contrary to what is generally believed. The people in Körtik Hill became sedentary without performing agricultural practices [Özkaya et al. 2012:319]. As a result of the four-year study in Körtik Hill, 9229 chipped stone find were examined. Over 100 tool types were identified such as; points (macro and micro), end scrapers, large scrapers, stone burins, stone borers, piece esquillee, denticulated and notched tools, sickle blades, backed and retouched blades and mattocks. Among the chipped stone assemblage, especially obsidian cores are rare though flint cores are more common. As well as cores, the existence of technical fragments as primary fragments with cortex, backed blades, revolving blades and core tablets are the important evidences to show knapping activities. However, it is suggested that some of the blades might have been brought from outside. Obsidian and flint are the main raw material. Radiolaritine and rock crystal which was found as fragmented were also used. Since flint are locally found in the region, it seemed that flint have been brought as unworked to the site. In Körtik Hill, shapeless pyramidal, pyramidal and micro cores were recovered. Large core specimens which have traces of the producing technology of blade and bladelets were found. Furthermore, blades cores are very rare. Briefly, as the stages of the blade production were continued, the cores became more smaller. The knapping of these cores was turned into the bladelet production because of partially changing the technique [Kartal 2012:476-479]. 1067 artefacts in total, 817 of which were for inventory and 250 0f which were for study collection, were delivered to Diyarbakir Museum as a result of the studies carried out between August 2014 - December 26 2014. During these studies, excavations were conducted in 25 trenches with a dimension of 5.00x5.00 m and depths ranging from 1.50-5.50 m were reached at these trenches. The results obtained from the gradually deepened trenches and the trenches that were excavated in order to understand the integrity of architectural plan of the mound provided data to confirm the stratigraphy [Özkaya et al. 2016:1-2].


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