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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Dündartepe |
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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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1840 m |
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Region:
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Eastern Anatolia |
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Province:
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Kars |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Azat |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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EBA III |
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| Location: It lies in the village of Azat; east of the Kars-Kagizman motorway; 8-9 km south of the Kars Province. The name Dündartepe was given by K. Kökten. |
| Geography and Environment: It is located on the northern bank of the Azat Stream. It is seen as a small mound from the pictures. No information is provided about its size. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was discovered in 1944; and a small excavation was carried out in 1952 by K. Kökten [Kökten 1953:190]. The 5x8 m trench on the top hill partly yielded the stratification of the mound among the other trenches opened in various sizes. The virgin soil was not reached although it was dug till 4.5 m at this trench [Kökten 1944:667]. It should be evaluated as a sounding rather than an excavation. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: Trench A yielded layers of the Classical Period; the second millennium BC (Hittite according to K. Kökten) and the Copper Age (EBA I). On the upper level of the Copper Age layers; traces of a massive fire are observed. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: Stone foundations of stone-walled buildings were found. There is no mudbrick. No architectural plan or any other information is provided. Pottery: A sherd interiorly colored in purple/lilac and another sherd exterior body in red and decorated with black lines on a yellow surface recovered from the Copper Age layers were not dated. Although S. Güneri reports that sherds of the red-gray-black mottled and very bright surfaced ware were recovered; he hesitates to date them. This type of ware is common in the mound. Clay: A big size seal was found. Bone/Antler: A weaving comb (?) in bone; handles of whetstones perforated on both sides in roe deer; incision decorated object in phalanx and awls are the beautiful samples of bone industry [Kökten 1944:pl.XCI/3-8]. Metal: Pins and earring in bronze or copper were recovered [Kökten 1944:pl.XCI/1-2]. This type of pins is rare in Anatolia. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The finds identified as Copper Age by K. Kökten can be dated to the second half of the third millennium BC. Azat Höyük is not included among the significant mounds of the Eastern Anatolia region. |
