KEÇIÇAYIRI: AN EARLY BRONZE AGE II FORTIFIED HILLTOP SETTLEMENT (NORTHWEST ANATOLIA (original) (raw)
The article deals with the architecture of the Early Bronze Age II fortified hill-top settlement of Keçiçayırı, located in the eastern Phrygian Highlands (north-western Turkey). Measuring ca 130 x 100m, the settlement is established on a flat surface on top of a hillock known as Cıbırada, with the fortification wall closely following the external contours of Cıbırada. The row-houses, connected to the fortification wall at the rear often have shallow porches at the front, which open onto a possible central courtyard. The site is of great importance as it shows the existence of fortified settlements in the highlands of the Eskişehir region, already around the middle of the third millennium BC and possibly in connection with intensified trade relations between distant areas. The settlement of Keçiçayırı, which currently represents the only known example of these settlements, may have been built to manage and protect sources of raw materials like flint.
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The article deals with the architecture of the Early Bronze Age II fortified hill-top settlement of Keçiçayırı, located in the eastern Phrygian Highlands (northwestern Turkey). Measuring ca 130 x 100m, the settlement is established on a flat surface on top of a hillock known as Cıbırada, with the fortification wall closely following the external contours of Cıbırada. The row-houses, connected to the fortification wall at the rear often have shallow porches at the front, which open onto a possible central courtyard. The site is of great importance as it shows the existence of fortified settlements in the highlands of the Eskişehir region, already around the middle of the third millennium BC and possibly in connection with intensified trade relations between distant areas. The settlement of Keçiçayırı, which currently represents the only known example of these settlements, may have been built to manage and protect sources of raw materials like flint.
Into the Hinterland: The Middle Bronze Age Building at Toprakhisar Höyük, Altınözü (Hatay, Turkey)
Adalya, 2018
The recent salvage excavations conducted by the Hatay Archaeological Museum at Toprakhisar Höyük (Altınözü) in the highlands surrounding the Amuq Valley on its southwestern side have revealed architectural data regarding re-urbanization patterns in the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1600 BC). This archaeological data is discussed under the larger theme of materiality, function, and conscious symbolism in the use of space. It is argued that rural sites likewise contained administrative complexes with stylistic attributes similar to well-known and larger palaces from the urban centers of the region.
The period denominated as Early Bronze Age(henceforward EBA) in Anatolia corresponding approximately to the millennial period between3000-2000 B.C. represents a significant period with some major turning points in the history of the mankind. Beside radical changes observed in cultural, social, economical and political structures this period is characterized by a series of events such as the appearance of large, fortified settlements reflecting the central authority, the development of different crafts, innovations and developments in the field of metallurgy, the appearance and wide distribution of different pottery types and long-distance trade activities (Şahoğlu, 2005:339). The increasing need on raw materials and the efforts on gaining ascendancy over trade routes triggered the conflicts between different political entities. If we consider Anatolia as a single landmass, it is not possible to mention a homogenous structure during any period throughout the history. The topographic structures, geographical features and climatic conditions shaped on such features resulted in the formation of distinct regions delineated with natural geographical barriers and the appearance of divergent cultures with different characteristics flourished in such cultural zones. The cultures that evolved in distinct regions of Anatolia in the 3 rd Millennium B.C. not only reflect unique characteristics, but also presented close relations and interactions with the adjacent cultural zones. The impressions of such mutually developing interactions can be observed on all archaeological materials, from architecture to pottery, from burial traditions to the small finds. Although the developments and advancements experienced during this period can be observed throughout Anatolia comprehensively, Western Anatolia has been represented with limited number of centres for many years. Yet the excavations at Troia, started at an early date in 1870s, laid the foundations of Prehistoric Aegean Archaeology, it remained as an isolated centre for many years regarding the Anatolian coast, while this region rather came into prominence with the splendour and monumental remains of the cities of Classical periods. Beside the limited number of researches, the magnificence of the powerful Classical cultures in the region and the notion that the region lacked strong preceding cultures and that its actual potential emerged and advanced through the migrations in the 1 st Millennium B.C. further influenced this view. In spite of this, the excavations and researches conducted at the other side of the Aegean and at the islands continued with an increasing pace. Starting from 1980s, however, the ever increasing number of excavations and studies initiated throughout Western Anatolia, both at the coastline and inland zones, started to reveal the cultural development
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