|
©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kozlu Kalesi |
|
|
For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
|
Type:
|
Fortress |
|
Altitude:
|
m |
|
Region:
|
Eastern Anatolia |
|
Province:
|
Kars |
|
District:
|
Kagizman |
|
Village:
|
Kozlu |
|
Investigation Method:
|
Survey |
|
Period:
|
|
|
|
|
  |
|
| It is in the form of two adjacent fortresses well-suited to the topographical characteristics of the two hills which are in north-south direction, 1 km west of the Kozlu Village, 23.2 km from the Kagizman District of Kars. With an altitude of 1964 m, it has a strategical position commanding the region. It lies to the southwest of the Kötek Fortress. To the east and west are fresh water springs, and to the west is an irrigation reservoir. Since the south and north sections are weak in terms of defence purposes, the fortifications on these sides are 3.8 m wide, while all others are 3 m wide. The lower fortress is more protective, and was composed of larger stone blocks (120x110x60 cm, 70x60 cm) by building curtain walls and bastions. At present, approximately 3-3.30 m high walls consisting of six courses of stones are extant. In the upper fortress, only 2.3-2.5 m wide and 1 m long fortifications which consisted of smaller stones (30x50, 30x60, 40x50) remained extant. It suggests that the lower fortress was built earlier, and the upper one was built later to strengthen the lower fortress. The upper fortress was not built in accordance with the overall architecture, but the geographical conditions were considered and it was built in a straight way without any curtain walls and bastions. Both fortresses include intramural structures. The entrance gate is from the southeast with a width of 3.8 m. A sanctuary of 7x9.7 m carved into the bedrock is observed on the rocky terrain consisting of sandstones on the western section of the fortress. Presence of a stepped water tunnel leading down to the irrigation reservoir to the west of the fortress was determined, but at present it is entirely filled with dirt and lost this feature. It can be concluded that it was an important Iron Age center, dominating the water resources in the region and controlling the animal husbandry, the source of living for local people, and it was also used during later periods. |
| Location: |
| Geography and Environment: |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: |
| Stratigraphy: |
| Small Finds: |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: |
