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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Çinaz 3 |
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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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930 m |
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Region:
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Eastern Anatolia |
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Province:
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Elazig |
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District:
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Kovancilar |
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Village:
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Saraybahçe |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Period:
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Aceramic |
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| Location: This site lies 60 km; as the crow flies; east of the city of Elazig; 6 km east of the town of Kovancilar and 1.5 km southeast of the village of Saraybahçe; which is along the Elazig-Bingöl highway. |
| Geography and Environment: The mound-site of Çinar III lies in the Senova Plain; the eastern part of the Palu Plain and west of the Bingöl Mountains. This narrow plain has been formed by the Murat River; which flows north and west of the town of Palu. The Palu Plain is low lying and has been formed by the alluvial silt carried by the Murat River. The natural roads from Bingöl pass through the Palu Plain; which lies west of the Gökdere Mountains. There is a small stream flowing along the northern flanks of the mound. It measures 150x160x4 m. It has been reported that north-northwest and southwest parts of the mound are being used for agricultural activities by H. Bahar in his 1987 research. Today it has been completely leveled and lost its shape. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The site was discovered in 1987 during the Elazig-Bingöl and Tunceli survey led by V. Sevin of the University of Istanbul; Faculty of Letters; Department of Ancient History. The survey was financially supported by the Middle East Technical University; Center for Research and Protection of Historical Monuments. Because there are other mounds by the name of Çinar in the area; this site has been named Çinar III. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: The surface survey determined that the only settlement at the site dates to the Aceramic Neolithic Period. |
| Small Finds: Chipped Stone: Many obsidian chipped stone tools and remains were collected. The tools include perforators; scrapers and choppers. This chipped stone industry has not yet been fully analyzed. Ground Stone: Examples of very well-worked ground stone were collected at the Aceramic Neolithic site of Çinaz III. Fragments of porous marble stone bowls were recovered. The outer surface of the cylindrical white marble bowl was polished [Bahar 1989:fig.2.1]. Several transparent bracelet fragments were found [Bahar 1989:fig.6]. The survey further yielded a bi-facial basalt pestle. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The site of Çinaz III is especially important because with the exception of Boytepe; it is possibly the first PPNB site in Eastern Anatolia. It is also a suitable site for excavation for a further understanding of the Aceramic Neolithic culture because there are no other overlying layers. Excavations should be conducted in the near future. |
