2020, A. KARNAVA & I. NIKOLAKOPOULOU, «More oikoi at Akrotiri, Thera: physical and social landscape in the new north/north-west neighbourhood of the LB I settlement», in M. RELAKI, J. DRIESSEN (EDS.), OIKOS, Aegis 19, Louvain, 237-255. (original) (raw)
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The excavation of the foundation shafts for the pillars of the new shelter over the site of Akrotiri in Thera (1999-2003) necessitated the continuation of archaeological investigations around Sector Alpha, which, until then, was the northernmost excavated area of the settlement. The area presented in this paper extends to the north of the House of the Ladies and Sector Alpha, as well as to the northeast of Sector Alpha. Our research was based initially on the information from the archival data of the first excavations in the vicinity, as well as that of the tunnels during those same years (1967-1969). Spyridon Marinatos, when first faced with the problem of an ancient site shrouded in tons of volcanic pumice, tried to investigate it by opening (underground) tunnels in the pumice, in order to track buildings but also leave the landscape above ground intact. The method was abandoned and the tunnels with time collapsed. But what prompted this paper was the (deluge of) new information from investigations in connection with the construction of a new shelter: surface volcanic materials were removed, and proper archaeological excavations took place where the new shelter pillars would be erected. The presentation follows a chronological sequence from the earliest levels to the latest, and follows the evidence of human activities and interventions from the Early Cycladic period until the latest pre-eruption phase.
Paléorient, 2017
At Arslantepe towards the end of the 4 th millennium BC, after the destruction of the palatial complex of period VIA, the following period VIB1 witnesses the flimsy architectural remains of wattle and daub huts associated with a ceramic culture clearly recalling the contemporary Kura-Araxes traditions of Eastern Anatolia and of the Southern Caucasus. The combination of architectural and zooarchaeological data suggests that period VIB1 represented the occupation by one or more specialised pastoral communities. Recent excavations at Arslantepe have brought to light an imposing mud-brick building (Building 36) dating to period VIB1. Building 36 rested on top of a large courtyard and of a monumental hall dating to the period VIA of the palace complex, thus highlighting a strong sense of continuity in terms of monumental architecture between periods VIA and VIB1. It was destroyed by a violent fire, burying a huge amount of materials in situ (83 ceramic vessels, metals and stone tools). A detailed reconstruction of the material assemblages and a thorough analysis of the functions of the building will constitute the main focus of this paper. This will ultimately shed light on the functions and political significance of this special building in the VIB1 settlement in the frame of ceremonial feastings that may have represented the new strategies enacted by the new Kura-Araxes oriented elites that emerged in the Malatya region, following the collapse of the Uruk-related centralised system. Résumé : Vers la fin du 4 e millénaire av. J.-C., après la destruction du complexe palatial d'Arslantepe de la période VIA, on observe sur le site, dans la période qui suit (VIB1), les vestiges de huttes en torchis, associés à une culture céramique qui rappelle des traditions contemporaines du Kura-Araxe de l'Anatolie orientale et du Sud du Caucase. La combinaison des données architecturales et fauniques suggère que la période VIB1 d'Arslantepe pourrait être l'occupation d'une ou plusieurs communautés pastorales. Les fouilles récentes effectuées à Arslantepe ont mis au jour un grand bâtiment en brique crue (Bâtiment 36) datant de cette période. Ce bâtiment repose directement sur une grande cour et une salle monumentale du complexe palatial de la période VIA ; il souligne une continuité très soutenue dans l'architecture monumentale entre les deux périodes. Ce bâtiment fut détruit par un violent incendie qui a entraîné l'enfouissement d'une quantité considérable de mobilier in situ (83 vases en céramique, métaux et outils en pierre). Cet article met l'accent sur une reconstitution détaillée de tous les assemblages recueillis et sur une analyse de la fonction du bâtiment. Cette reconstitution a pour but de faire la lumière sur le rôle social et politique de ce bâtiment spécial dans le cadre de cérémonies et de repas collectifs qui ont pu représenter les stratégies politiques mises en place par les nouvelles élites influencées par le monde Kura-Araxe, élites qui « émergent » dans la région de Malatya à la suite de l'effondrement d'un système centralisé, dérivé du monde urukéen.
Household continuity and transformation in a prehistoric Cypriot village.
In B.J. Parker and C.P. Foster (eds), New Perspectives on Household Archaeology. Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake. pp. 473–500, 2012
The small prehistoric village at Marki in central Cyprus was occupied from the beginning of the Early Bronze Age (about 2350 b.c.e.) to the middle years of the Middle Bronze Age (about 1850 b.c.e.). A decade of field research has exposed 2000 square m in one part of the site, providing evidence of household structure and development over some 500 years (Frankel and Webb 1996, 2006a). The sequence can be divided into nine phases of construction and use, showing a pattern of growth, development, and decline in the extent and density of buildings. In this essay, the approaches and concepts underlying the archaeological procedures used to explore this site are discussed, leading into a summary of the history of the village. Variability in house form and elements of continuity and transformation provide the basis for an exploration of dynamic adjustments at different scales, from individual domestic cycles to broader relationships. These observations allow insights into aspects of social organization and decision making within this community over many generations.
A RURAL SETTLEMENT IN THE ROUGH CILICIA-ISAURA REGION: KARAKABAKLI
The ancient settlement of Karakabaklı is located inland from the sea, near the modern town of Silifke. It lies seven kilometers northwest of Susanoğlu and close to the ancient city of Corasium. This area was known in ancient times as Olba Territorium, and originally belonged to a Hellenistic temple state, then passed to Isauria during the Diocletianus Period. With its particular characteristics, Karakabaklı of Rough Cilicia-Isauria shows many similarities to other rural settlements in the areas. Karakabaklı is remarkable for its location near Corasium, to which it is connected by an ancient road. The discovery of many rural settlements along this route is particularly important since it sheds light on contact between ancient cities and their khora. Although Karakabaklı was a rural settlement, it has well-preserved structures exhibiting features of urban architecture. As an example, archaeological surveys have revealed structures showing a farmstead with a courtyard and tower, along with agricultural production and storage buildings, cisterns, two monumental gates, two basilicas, houses, and tombs. Most of these constructions were added to the settlement in later periods, pointing to continuity of inhabitation in the area. In this study, data compiled as the settlement’s buildings were identified, would indicate Karakabaklı also followed this pattern of farmstead to village as a result of geographical and historical factors. One of the purposes of this study is to first collect data that concerns reasons urban architecture can be observed in the area. Revealing those environmental and historical factors contributing to the development of the settlement will also assist in reaching conclusions and making generalizations on similar settlements in the area, as well. Hence, this study also will evaluate the historical processes affecting settlements in the surrounding area. To gain a clearer picture concerning the area’s buildings in general, we will investigate the buildings of Karakabaklı, and compare findings to those of other buildings in the same area.