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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Besik - Sivritepe |
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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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Flat Settlement |
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Altitude:
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100 m |
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Region:
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Marmara |
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Province:
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Çanakkale |
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District:
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Gelibolu |
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Village:
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Yeniköy |
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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: The site lies southwest of Çanakkale; approximately 2.1 km south-southwest of Yeniköy; northeast of Besige Cape; under the steep tumulus. |
| Geography and Environment: Besige Cape; surrounding Koca Liman (Besige Harbor) Cove from the north; is a round extension towards the Aegean Sea. It was known as Besiktepe for many years. The excavations revealed the Hellenistic Period tumulus that stands 18 m higher than sea level together with the mound and the elevation made of limestone beneath it. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The tumulus; reported many times and known as the monumental grave of one of the heroes of Trojan Battle in the publications of Troy; was excavated by Schliemann at the end of the 19th century; and by W. Dörpfeld in 1924. Schliemann dug a tunnel to enter the burial chamber. The scientific excavation; Besik Yassi Tepe and Besik Mezarlik excavations; conducted by M. Korfmann lasted from 1983 to 1987. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: A small village was founded at the northeastern and eastern parts of the bedrock (probably at the north bank of Besike Bay during the period of the first settlement). The remains of the village were extremely damaged because of the excavation of the grave. Only 10-60 cm of the deposit was preserved. It is therefore impossible to observe the stratigraphy. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: No structures with a clear plan could be revealed. Pottery: Many sherds that may belong to a fishing village were collected by Schliemann and Korfmann. The sherds collected by Schliemann were studied by W. Lamb [Lamb 1932:124-129]. There are sherds of hand-made; brown; black and yellowish-faced burnished ware. Painted decoration; incised decoration; and decorative burnishing were observed. According to the excavation of Korfmann; the percantage of decorative burnished sherds was less than all the uther pottery groups. Other: The abundance of oysters and mussel shells suggests that these sea animals were important for nourishment. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The first settlement; which may be called Besik-Sivri Tepe; is thought to be contemporary with Kumtepe Ia due to the pottery resemblance. Korfmann claims that excavation at this site is unnecessary because of extreme damage. He suggests that excavations at Hanay Tepe or further excavations at Kumtepe [Korfmann 1986:229-230] be conducted instead. The mound; surrounded with a stone enclosure wall; is thought to be a monument built in the name of Achilleus [Korfmann 1989:323]. |
