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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Domuzburnu / Gurma |
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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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Cave |
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Altitude:
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60 m |
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Region:
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Mediterranean |
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Province:
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Antalya |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Hurma |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Ceramic |
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| Location: The cave lies near (and probably southwest of) the village of Hurma/Kurma/Koruma; 11 km west-northwest of the city of Antalya. |
| Geography and Environment: It has been reported that the cave; on the western flanks of Mount Çatma facing the Boga Stream; has two large entrances. The entrances were hidden behind locust trees when the site was excavated in 1946. The floor of the cave was covered with fallen blocks of rock from the cave ceiling as well as with stalagmite and stalactite fragments. The cave was named after the western extension of Mount Çatma; Mount Domuzburnu. In many publications; however; the cave is called Gurma; a variation of the name of the nearby village. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: In 1922 an excavation was conducted in the cave by V. Viale. The test trench opened by Viale was extended in 1946 by Kökten; who opened an adjacent 1.5x4 m trench. |
| Stratigraphy: The publications on the stratigraphy as exposed by Viale is limited. Kökten notes that the top 75 cm are Greco-Roman; that the Early Bronze Age begins 95 cm beneath the surface and that virgin soil lies 130 cm beneath the surface. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: It has not been reported whether the hearth excavated by Viale is prehistoric. Ceramics: Ceramic finds include ware which is burnished black on the inside and outside; and ware which is burnished black on the inside and red on the outside. Kökten identifies this as Early Bronze Age ware [Kökten 1947:230] while Mellaart believes it is local Antalya; Kizilkaya/Bademagaci Neolithic ware [Mellaart 1961:169]. Chipped Stone: Viale's excavation yielded several triangular flint bifaces; and Kökten found one chipped stone tool. Bone/Antler: Several bone awls were found. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: Because the 1922 and 1946 excavations at this site were less thorough in their methods of excavation and recording; like many excavations in the early twentieth century; the stratigraphic sequencing of this site could not be determined. Kökten did not continue excavation here because the site lacked Palaeolithic finds; and the publications of the other periods remain incomplete. The ceramics may or may not be assigned to the Neolithic. The Late Neolithic dating of the ceramics is based on Mellaart's classification. It has been proposed that the cave was used as a seasonal habitation area. |
