|
©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
Besik / Yassi Tepe |
|
|
For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
|
Type:
|
Mound |
|
Altitude:
|
65 m |
|
Region:
|
Marmara |
|
Province:
|
Çanakkale |
|
District:
|
Ezine |
|
Village:
|
Yeniköy |
|
Investigation Method:
|
Excavation |
|
Period:
|
EBA II |
|
|
|
  |
|
| Location: It lies about 2 km south of Yeniköy; southeast of the Çanakkale Province. It is 7 km far from the Hisarlik Tepesi. |
| Geography and Environment: The mound is located on the north of the Kocaliman Bay; on a small outcrop extending to the Aegean Sea. It is known as Besikburnu or Besika Burnu as well. The bay on its south provides shelter for boats and ships. Papaz stream flows to the northeast. In the vineyards to the east is the cemetery area of the settlement that has been excavated. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The first prehistoric finds of Besik Yassi Tepe were discovered by D.H. French and J. Cook; and the site was extensively surveyed by M. Korfmann and his team in 1981. The excavations were conducted by the same team between 1982 and 1986; and discontinued when M. Korfmann took over the excavations at Troy. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: As a result of the excavations; the upper level yielded Byzantium period; followed by two levels of the Hellenistic Period; Troy VI-VII levels and at the bottom EBA II (Troy I) starting at ca. 1.5 m depth. The thickness of the cultural deposit is ca. 4-5 m; almost 3 m belonging to EBA. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: 7 building levels were brought to light. Buildings are megaron-like; 5-6 m wide and 14 m high. The walls of the buildings at the lowest level were built by wattle and daub technique. The following building levels of 4-7 have stone foundations. They have clay or stone platforms. Only one has a circular hearth in the center. Pottery: There is a typical pottery industry of Troy I. Forms of lids; three footed vessels and bowls with interiorly thickened rims can be seen. The interior rims of the bowls or projected lugs are incision decorated with figures of faces; geometrical and lining patterns. The incision decorations and incrustations widely seen in the upper levels decrease in number through the lower levels [Korfmann 1985a:109]. Small finds: A bird headed copper pin; small clay axe [Korfmann 1985a:pic.7]; bone pierce; stone axes were found. The number of flint tools is higher than obsidian tools. The analysis on the obsidian indicated that they originated from the island of Melos [Korfmann 1985:109]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The lower levels of Besik Yassi Tepe are contemporary with the lower levels of Troy I. A series of 14C history was published on Besik Yassi Tepe. The Troy I period relates to 2900-2700 BC M. Korfmann indicates in one of his other publication that the date of 2310 BC +/-80 given by himself is in a calibrated range from 3100 to 2900 BC [Korfmann 1985a:113]. |
