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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Çatal 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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200 m |
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Region:
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Mediterranean |
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Province:
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Hatay |
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District:
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Reyhanli |
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Village:
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Çatalhöyük |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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EBA III EBA II |
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| Location: It lies on the east of the Reyhanli-Kirikhan motorway; 4 km northwest of the Reyhanli District; northeast of the Antakya Province. The motorway runs by the mound; therefore; it is easily accessible. |
| Geography and Environment: It is located on the southern bank of the Afrin Stream. It is reported to measure 430x265 m in dimensions according to the distribution of the pottery. It is ca. 25 m high above the plain level. It has an oval shape. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was discovered in 1933 during a survey conducted by R.J. Braidwood; and coded under findspot no. 167 of the Amuq Plain. The prehistoric levels were reached at trenches V16 and W 16. The 9 building levels identified at tunnel trench W 16 in 1936 yielded information about the settlements. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: The building levels 1-2 of the trench W 16 were dated to a mixed phase; building levels 3-4 to the phase I of the Amuq Plain and building level 5; probably; 6 to the phase H. The excavations were mainly concerned with historic ages; therefore the prehistoric ages could not have been analyzed thoroughly by the small trenches. The building levels 7-9 are dated to the Late Chalcolithic Age. |
| Small Finds: Pottery: The red-black burnished ware (Khirbet Kerak ware) and the orange colored ware (brittle orange ware) are introduced at phase H. The reserved slip decorated ware continues. Forms of big fruit stands; small and big jars of the red-black ware are seen at phase I [Braidwood-Braidwood 1960:fig.305/1; 5; 6]. Samples of the orange colored ware and the reserved slip decorated ware continue at this phase as well. The painted simple ware and the comb decorated ware are introduced. Samples of the coarse ware called kitchen ware were recovered [Braidwod-Braidwood 1960:fig.309/2; 4]. Likes of the painting decorated simple ware are found at Khabur in Northern Syria. It bears decorations applied by light red-orange or black paint on a yellowish buff colored background. Squares filled with cross-hatchings; star and wavy patterns giving a blending impression are popular. Ground Stone: A burnishing stone of phase I among the cultural phases of the Amuq Plain was published as originated from Çatalhöyük [Braidwood-Braidwood 1960:326/2]. Small stone beads were recovered. The stone finds; particularly; are not rich. A cylinder seal depicting a person in libation position as if he is praying is a good example of the sealing craft [Braidwood-Braidwood 1960:fig.327]. This seal was recovered from a big jar/pithos at trench V 16. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The trenches opened on the top hill during the excavations of Çatalhöyük contributed much to illuminate the historic ages. It is noted that the site was inhabited by a community who domesticated pig & sheep and cultivated the land during both phases H and I. |
