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Güvercinkayasi

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Güvercinkayası
Type:
 Mound
Altitude:
 1106 m
Region:
 Central Anatolia
Province:
 Aksaray
District:
 Gülagaç
Village:
 Çatalsu
Investigation Method:
 Excavation
Period:
 Late

     

Location: The site lies east of Aksaray; northwest of Gülagaç District; 1-12 km west-northwest of Çatalsu (Apsari) Village; near the shore of Mamasin Dam. It is easy to reach the site via the Aksaray-Demirci Town-Apsari Road. The location code of the site is P 33 / 54.
Geography and Environment: The mound is the second hill after Kelmusalar Hill at the north bank of the Old Melendiz River; northwest of Apsari Village. It is also called Porsuklu Kaya; and looks like a cape extending towards the dam; in the southeast direction. The slopes get covered by the dam when the water level of the reservoir is high; and thus it turns into an island. The southwestern part of the mound is covered with high and sharp rocks. The mound is located just on top of this rocky. Its cultural deposit is thought to be 3-4 m thick. Melendiz and Karasu Streams joined at the southeast of the site; continued flowing towards Aksaray before the construction of the dam. The location of the hill is important both for fishing and for the accessible passage at this point formed by the widening of Melendiz River. The reason why it was also called "Migration Road Location" is most probably because of this feature. The tuff hill is reported to be 15 m high above the level of the Melendiz Stream; which used to flow beneath it. The waves of the Melendiz Dam effect the lower slopes of the mound; thus uncovering the structural remains at first; and then destroying them.
History:
Research and Excavation: The site was discovered during the Aksaray-Nigde-Nevsehir Survey conducted by U. Esin with the leadership of S. Gülçur in 1994. The settlement is observed to be terraced from top of the mound to the lower parts. Because Melendiz Dam was damaging the site with the increase of water level; a salvage excavation was started with the help of Aksaray Museum; with the scientific consultance of S. Gülçur in 1996. Excavation continues till today.
Stratigraphy: There is not a stratigraphy in 1996 excavation; because trenches were not opened on the uppermost section of the mound. The nonexistence of superimposed building levels and the existence of additional walls among the architectural remains suggest only one level with many phases at the site.
Small Finds: Architecture: Structures with parallel and common (the longer ones) walls; were revealed at the northern and eastern slopes. Quarry stones are observed to be mixed with loam mortar in the building technique. Only one or two courses of the stones in walls could remain to this day; the appearance of the upper construction is not known; though; they are thought to be built of mudbrick. The round holes on the floors are interpretated to be the negative traces of wooden posts. Walls were usually built at the cracks between the rock blocks. These cracks were sometimes filled with stone; providing a continuos floor. The walls are plastered just like the floors. Many floor renovations are observed. The plans consist of a thin and long furnace room situated next to a large room; and another long; narrow room next to the furnace room. In addition; there is a structure containing five small divisions. There are two passages between the very top of the rocky and the lower terrace. An enclosure wall in the form of a fence was observed around the lower terrace. Furnaces with thick architraved walls; and round hearths indicate the location of the kitchen. There are always one or more grinding stones near the furnace and hearths. Fire traces are observed at some buildings. A mudbrick wall built on a rubble filling was found. The architectural remains beneath the rubble fill have shown that the row of houses and the eastern road continue towards east with a curve. During the research conducted in a room that was recovered in the previous years; were found a grinding bench in front of the west wall with an in situ bottom stone and sides made of flat stones; which penetrate into the wall; and immediately next to the bench two black burnished jars one on top of another. It is suggested that the collapsed mudbrick block found on the floor of the same room belongs to the fence of a silo. The phases of restoration and changes on the walls can be observed in the disordered structure of the interior walls. In the burnt area; it was determined that the long and narrow room that can be reached by passing through a main room with two large hearths and a bucranium shaped grinding bench; was organized as the other pantries in the settlement. From beneath the collapsed roof fragments with reed traces and some silo remains; were encountered 22 storage bowls placed one next to another. On the southwestern corner was the mudbrick fence of a comb that was softened by the heat and piled on the floor. The other finds include a rounded oil lamp stand (chandelier); which was formed by separating the partition wall and well plastirid on the interior; and ashed traces of mat stuck on ceramic sherds. The southeastern section of the burnt area is bordered with a high rock that reaches the surface. The pantry and the white plastered west wall of the main room join the south wall by forming the southwest corner. The western hearth of the main room is placed in this corner. On the dome of the hearth; which melted during the fire and got harder; were found ceramic sherds and floor fragments indicating an upper level. Immediately beneath the plow soil; the southeastern corner of another room with a floor paved on the bedrock was uncovered. During 2005 season excavations uncovered a third enclosing wall or a supporting line between outside support/defense wall and the inner castle. A slope covering in trench 6H and double silo surrounded by a thick wall were found [Gülçur 2006:16]. The first data obtained in the eastern half of the 6H trench during the 2005 excavations were the adobe architecture examples which were assumed to represent the last building phase of Güvercinkayasi. The remains covering an area of approximately 2.5 m wide in the south of the trench are part of a casemate system of the external façade fortification; approximately 5 adobe brick wide; and overlooking the south direction. The building was partially destructed above; by a dense layer of sherds; the parts that overlook the north direction had gone through erosion due to the high tides. Single adobe brick wide walls supported by flat stone blocks on both sides; which were directed towards the north direction at equal intervals from the large wall and that were possibly built as separators were observed inside the area delimited by the external wall. As far observed the adobe architecture arises above the stone debris of the older buildings which make a perfectly solid foundation. The plain ground where the adobe architecture sits; consists of large and small stones. There is a slope pavement underneath that plain which was possibly built on the debris of the older buildings. The main pavement construction was delimited by larger stone blocs. The pavement consists of shallow steps to facilitate ascending and descending in accordance with the slope declination. Another significant find in this trench is the structure similar to a terrace; constructed with extremely large blocks in front of the stone pavement. It is assumed that the slope pavement and the terrace wall continue in western direction. The M11 chamber which is in the same direction with the houses which delimits the eastern road at north could only be unearthed partially at the eastern and the southern walls. Also a system was found consisting of a round ground stone for the grinding of cereals inside the upper building phase. This system along with its plastered horn alike cornice/handle remains was placed right in front of the room door threshold which opens to the east direction. The threshold was blocked in front by a flat stone placed headlong. The wall extending towards the back of the terrace wall has a multi-layer; and plastered surface facing the room. The portable; but erected stick observed in front of the east wall of the same room is most probably one of the upper phase accessories [Gülçur 2007:112-114]. The area where the trenches 7-8/G-H and 7I are located; which is surrounded by the defensive fortifications consisting of many phases; on the north; and impassable; unsurmountable and high rocks on the south; became more like an internal fortress in time. A new wall was found which lies in north-south direction; under the wall extending in east- west where the extremely large stone blocks were used; inside the trench 7I. Two silos added on one another on the bedrock which has a steep declination angle; and which is between the rock profile delimiting the 7-8H area on the east; and this short wall. A semi-circular; third defensive fortification starting from the new wall and extending to the high rock profile surrounds the two silos. There assumably was a door opening at the cross section of the third wall with the short wall. One of the most remarkable elements of the citadel is the tower alike structure which cuts through the concave fortification. The researches revealed that the tower was filled with the wastes of the settlement. Another grinding stone was found under the bullhead grinder found in the cellar and in the main area of the 7-8H; which is older than the previous. The tip of this larger grinder extends underneath the silo just next to the grinder. There is a workshop which was found to be used in the same time with the grinding stone just next to the grinding stone. The grinding stone which is upside down placed higher than the floor level; and the workshop were plastered in many layers along with the wall that delimits the room on the west side [Gülçur 2007:114-115]. A neatly plastered large platform was revealed which is a few centimeters high; just in front of the wall separation that separates the main room from the cellar in trench 7-8H area. This platform at the east wing of the cell were possibly used with the big furnace; the body of the furnace and its horseshoe shape fireplace were left in the main room [Gülçur 2007:116]. When handled as an entity 7G plan square gives the sight of an extremely complicated stratification. The adobe brick building which passes over the tower; and was assumed to represent the last building phase of Güvercinkayasi covers the entire area in the northern part of the trench. The western wall of the tower is under a wall constructed by thin stones. There is serious destruction in the narrow area between the tower and the adobe building [Gülçur 2007:116]. A rock profile where the fish scale wall sits on can be observed at the meeting point of trenches 7-8; and G-H. The face of the rock facing north has a steep declination consistent with the natural formation. The longer sides of the wall end by contacting the rock surface as well [Gülçur 2007:116]. The finds revealed in the south the trench 6H on the northern slope in 2006; is a group of ceramics that caused deformation on the adobe structure from above. The northern part of the area was worn out due to erosion caused by waves. The trench was deepened in order to unearth the western wall which is between the durable residences of Güvercinkayasi and the oldest residence numbered 10 inside the trench 6H which represents the building layer 1 and it was found that the residence is similar to the other examples in terms of the internal installations. The house was equipped with a furnace in the southwestern corner of the main room; and it contained a circular hearth on the floor in the center of the room. A row of stones is observed at the assumed door opening in the west of the furnace on the side that faces the room; which probably was installed later. In the east of the row of stones on the floor there is a vertical hole for a pole or a milestone situated at the gate. The rectangular prism box made of stone and mud mixture leaning against the western wall reflects a new type of item for preservation [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:245-246]. The early phase of the separation wall that covers the opening of the large furnace inside the residence number 14 which lies behind the internal fortification block at the trench 7-8H known as 'Yanikli Alan' (burnt section) was identified and it was found that the wall surrounded the low platform that was revealed inside the cellar probably to constitute a large silo [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:246]. The fact that three milling bases found on one side of the wall; were placed on top of each other inside that room suggest that those were rebuilt each time the floor level was elevated. These finds show that the residence was used for a long time. [http://cat.une.edu.au/page/guvercinkayasi; 29.5.2008; 14:30]. The usage of sherds and animal bones as a filling underneath the furnace and pavement stones was observed for the first time at Güvercinkayasi [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:247]. The important part of the researches in 2006 consisted of the excavations at trench 7G and 8F. The first important data from trench 7G is related to the adobe structure which looks like casemate. Based on the sturdy adobe bricks on the bottom layer; a terrace system was built with the bricks moulded inside complete and half molds; by laying the small and large mud bricks positioned one after another. All bricks are beige; half bricks are yellowish; the mud mortar between the bricks is blue gray. The positioning of the large stone blocks seen underneath the adobe brick terracing is in line with the direction of the inner fortification. This observation gives the impression that the plain at the peak of the rock was fortified through the construction of a wall around it and important buildings were built alongside this wall [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:248]. The separation wall that divides the rooms identified as M1 and M2 within the 7G trench; went through a deformation due to high temperature and fire. Two carbonized wooden pillars measuring 20 cm in diameter were found inside the wall which was removed for reaching the lower phase finds. The area M9 which leans against the steep rock was found after removing the floors of the rooms M1 and M2. The fortification constitutes the northern wall of the room. There is a furnace right in front of the steep rock which has a furnace opening that faces north. There is a round stove that still contains the cinder from its last usage right east of the furnace. The furnace and the stove are closer to each other than they should be [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:248-249]. 2007 campaign on Lower Settlement; the long wall extending towards the south underneath the terrace walls revealed west of the trench 6H of the North Slope and the silo in the northeast corner of the room M11 which was researched during previous campaigns and of room M3, were dated to the oldest period of the settlement. ıt was found that a large portion of the silo which contains an upper grinding stone and remains of a black burnished storage vessel were destroyed. A kiln facing north inside the upper deposit of the same room and remains of a hearth immediately east of the kiln were revealed. A near triangular rock profile with the tip pointing at north was identified at the west extension of the south wall of house number ten. This rock profile could have determined the building dimensions of the house number ten (H10) which represents the oldest building level I with the most durable material of Güvercinkayasi, and was interrupted by the terrace wall which is adjacent to its wall. The floor remains identified in front of the rock profile and the horseshoe shaped furnace in the northeast corner of the building survived. The west extension of the fortification was unearthed through the removal of adobe wall at trench 7G in the citadel and it was found that very large stones were used in the construction of the wall which is assumed to contain more than one renovation phase. M8 which is one of the adjacent houses which went through a fire disaster that advanced alongside the fortification body inside the citadel had a storage unit similar to a bathtub behind the west division wall that divides the head room from the cellar (M12) of M8. The east wing of the division wall that divides the main room (M8) from the cellar (M12) contains a very large kiln in the back, and there is a round hearth with a diameter over one meter in the center of the room. The oldest building level of the settlement was found during the cleaning of the area where the house H14 sits inside trench 7-8H. The first of the kiln remains is below the large kiln in southeast corner, that faces north, the second is in the north of short wall remains found in front of the large kiln, below the floor plaster that meets the grinding bench [Gülçur-Çayli 2009:269-273]. In 2008 the excavations in trench 5-6 H on the North Slope at Lower Settlement revealed that the buildings located in trench 5 H were collapsed due to land erosion through the running water. The space M3 located at northeast-southwest axis in the westernmost location of the area is actually the main room of a residence that continues underneath the buttress. The culinary section in the northeast corner of the room that contains a horse-shoe figure shaped kiln which is unlike upper phase kilns, is rather similar to the kilns unearthed at the bottom levels of the settlement based on its narrow and long body. The space west and adjacent to that was named M4. Fingerprints of the person plastering the rear of the kiln with the opening facing west inside space M2 were detected. A piece of the wall that consists of three large adjacent courses of stones extending in north direction from the main walls west of the bailey, make a sharp right-angle turn towards the west. The external surface of this two-stones-wide part of the wall was laid with extremely smooth surfaced and large stones and the rugged inside surface becomes one with the wall after a semi-circular turn. The wall structure apparently contains more than one phase. During the excavations performed behind the wall at trench 8 F on the fifth house of the line that went through a fire disaster there is a silo with a wall laid using small stones, dated to upper usage phase in the recently revealed southeast corner. Inside the trench 8 F that was enlarged in west direction, a kiln with a ceiling a semi-spheric vault was found intact which was built on the west door wing facing the room in space M 5 [Gülçur-Çayli 2010:360-365]. The excavations in 2009 in the Lower Settlement 6H have started by removing the thick wall constructed in East-West direction which is believed to be built for supporting the adobe terrace structure which continued from the upper settlement. A possible silo is unearthed right under the East section of the broken wall which is spread like a half-circle. The main wall which is detected two seasons ago in the South section of Trench 6H extends from the level of yellowish soil without losing its integrity. The main wall makes a North turn after 10 m. An 8.5 by 3.5 m (external measurement) narrow and long house that is constructed in Southeast - Northwest direction which continues from Trench 6H is gradually placed in the South field remaining within this wall system. The locations of the oven and round furnace which are located in the large room of the house, right in front of a possible cellar cell is not complying with the general structure. Especially the fact that mouth of the oven is facing the cellar suggests that the dividing wall may have been constructed at a later period. Remains of an oven are unearthed in the existing ground levels of the Room 6H/M3 in the field surrounded by the dividing wall which is built by small stones. During this excavation it has become clear that the wall which limits Room M3 in the West is positioned upper than the other walls. Room M1 is surrounded by a 2m long wall on the South. The square planned Room identified in Trench G6 is a first occasion in Güvercinkayasi. The tips of North and East walls of this room continue through Trench H6 and rests on both sides of the point where the main wall has a corner. Remains of two ovens or furnaces are identified right behind the West wall of the room. And an oven is found inside the room in the Northwest corner. The embankment of the room is very rocky and it couldn't be completely removed [Gülçur et al. 2011: 297-298]. The center of Trench 8F where the stream of potteries is found is limited by walls on North and South. The tips of walls which extend perpendicular to the central area below the trench profile are supported by the stones laid later in order to build a gate. The tip of the wall is supported by vertical and horizontal large stones while a possible silo shaped as a bathtub is added outside of the wall facing Trench 8F. Only a quarter of Trench 7F was opened last season; the opened area is extended this season towards North and West. The rest of the adobe roof structure which reached through the North slope is excavated. Later the structure is removed completely and the higher levels of city wall are reached. The city wall makes a concave turn and ends by merging with the rock bed which the adobe terrace also rests. While the low rows of the city wall's body are built more regularly, the top row consists of very large blocks which seem to be placed temporarily. After collecting the pottery a round furnace is encountered in Room 7F/M4 in the middle of ground level. In front of the East wall, in the North of the deep pit which is opened from above and in which pieces of a large burnished storage vessel are excavated last year; tip of a stone membrane silo is also encountered. Trench 9 F (4 by 9 m) which is determined as the new excavation field is right before the high rocks that surround the summit flatland in South. It contains very few architectural remains. A podium that is paved with flat plates and surrounded by one row of somewhat large stones on the area right in front of high rocks. An embankment containing various size stones on a deeper location in North of this podium merges with the podium. An open area made up of two large stones laid perpendicular facing one another on the West side is surrounded by various size stones and laid in fishbone style in the North side of Trench 8F. The horizontal stone in between these stones is believed to be a threshold [Gülçur et al. 2011: 299-300]. During the excavations conducted in the upper settlement in the dwelling numbered 7 / G 16 where rectangular workshops and siloi were found, the fill of the grinding bench in the workshop was removed and the outline of the bench consisting of vertically arranged stones was exposed. During the removing process of the documented floors of the workshop, a small bump with a well-plastered surface in which a vessel or any kind of tool can be placed on it was exposed between the grinding bench and rectangular silo. The dwelling numbered 19 in the Trench 7-8 / E-F represents the last one of the structures that aligned behind the city wall. The other possible structures that were located here were eroded due to the wave actions of the dam lake. In 2011, after removing the floor belonging to the upper phase, the fill of the burnt layer was excavated. A silo leaned against a rock, which is located under the oven belonging to upper phase on the northwest of the structure, a funnel shaped ground stone object supported with small stones that was found in the middle of the room, a mobile stone mortar for post, an area paved with small stones and remain of a hearth are the first findings found in this area. At deeper levels of this burnt layer, remains of floors in patches were exposed. On the southeast corner of the structure, a rectangular platform which is adjacent to the north side of the silo belonging to the upper phase was recovered. The wall of the platform is made out of mudbrick and its surface is plastered. In the plan squares of 8 E-F, the road fill consisting of potsherds, stones and bones in high density, which divided the upper settlement in the north-south direction, was continued to be clean. Fragments of obsidian mirrors, caches of obsidian cores and flakes are the important findings recovered from this fill. The plan square of 9 E is located on the southwest corner where the peak is protected by high rock blocks in the upper settlement. After removing the soft fill on the surface, some stone walls which were erected by using the rock and siloi were exposed. The second possible silo is located in the north -south direction on the northeast corner that was formed by the east wall leaned against the rock and the wall surrounding the space from the north. The radial wall of the silo was formed with mudbrick blocks in double rows. The building material of this silo and its appearance is unique in Güvercinkayasi [Gülçur et al. 2013:102-104]. In the lower settlement, a hole supported with small stones that was used for the door sill was found next to the side of the doorway facing to the room on the west short wall of the structure in the plan squares of 6 F-G. Also, remains of oven were recovered on the other side of the doorway. In Trench 6F, remains of spaces belonging to the dwellings that aligned in steps were recovered. The fill of Room M1 contains stones in high density. The room was added on the southwest corner of the building complex extending through the trenches of 6/G-H. The fill of this room was removed. On the northwest corner of the room, an oven facing to south was found. A circular hearth is located in the middle of the room and plaster remains belonging to a possible grinding bench or pilar stand were recovered in front of the main wall in which the space was added [Gülçur et al. 2013:104-105]. During the studies carried out in the upper settlement in 2012, an opening or an entrance was discovered on the east face of the silo in Room M1 in Trench 9 E. Both wings of the entrance were built rectangular shaped adobes that were vertically and horizontally placed. In Trench 8 E, a few siloi, hearths and ovens as the ones found in Trench 9 E were encountered. The western half of House M9, located behind the city wall, has been destroyed due to erosion. The floors extending towards the outer surface of the stone paved large silo were unearthed below the floors belonging to the upper phases of the building. A wall in the northeast-southwest direction was exposed in the east of Trench 6 E that is located to the westernmost section of the lower settlement. This wall forms the east border of a new room extending towards the northwest. Located to the northwest corner of M1, Tn1 was exposed together with the floor layers in which it belongs to. About 20 cm below these remains, a black colored, burnt line was determined. This suggests that the architectural features of Trench 6 E were built after the heavy fire occurred in the upper settlement. A wall parallel to the north wall of the large building in the plan squares 6 F-G was discovered. This wall belongs to the structures of the lower phases and the surface of the wall facing to M3 was plastered. The short wall, which cuts this wall in the southeast-northwest direction, is a shared wall of M7 and M6. In the southeast of M6, it was observed that the stone row sat on the bedrock turns east and joins the long wall. This stone row separates M6 and M8 from each other. In M6, an oven (Tn7), the mouth of which faces to the west, sat on the bedrock and in situ pots were found. A pit, the interior surface of which was plastered, was discovered at the northwest corner of House M8. The pit yielded semi-worked and untreated horns, tools made out of bones and horns and animal skulls. The unbaked clay large animal figurine recovered from the pit indicates that the pit might have a symbolic aspect as well. In Trench 6 G, the ovens and hearths belonging to the upper phase of M1 were removed and floor of the lower phases were unearthed. A section of the plastered surface of the partition wall belonging to the cellar was exposed. Area M3 in Trench 5-6 G has been largely damaged because of the rising water level in the dam. In the west of M3, a large horseshoe shaped ash pan and a round hearth were found on the floor that extends in a lower level. The interior section of the ash pan was quite neatly plastered and its mouth faces to the northwest. The back section of it leans against the north wall of M2. In the plan square 5 F, the structure (M1) extending in the northeast-southwest direction is entered through a quite high threshold in the east. This threshold was neatly plastered. At the left corner, a platform with a height of about 0.50 m was found. A pivot stone was found on the floor and a plastered hole (used for pivot stone) was encountered in front of the platform. A round hearth was exposed in the center of the room. Two adjacent siloi built with adobes was found in front of the high rock blocks that cut the east of the plan square 4 G. It was observed that the settlement expands further north contrary to what was believed. In the plan square 3 G, fragments of wall were found. The wall is about 6 m in length and it was built with large stones. The wall sits on the high rock blocks in the east of the plan square. In the plan square 3-4 H, two rooms (M1 and M2) situated on the bedrock were exposed. Only lower rows of the walls were reached [Gülçur et al. 2014]. In 2013, the upper and lower cities were excavated. In the upper city, the floors and architectural features belonging to the last four phases of dwellings located behind the city wall were removed. The last phase of the dwelling sits on the fire level. The second phase is related to the fire level. The lower phases, on the other hand, are probably dated before the fire level. During the 2013 studies, the floor of the fifth phase, which is neatly plastered, was exposed. A large hearth was found on the floor. In the lower city, the fill consisting of stones, located in front of the east wall of Room M1 was removed. Remains of an oven and the floor of Room M2 were exposed below this fill. Located to the northern slope, Trench 5 F yielded an oven belonging to the dwelling extending in the northwest-southeast direction and fragments of floor built on the bedrock. The wall bordering the south of Room 6E / M1 and M2 probably limits this dwelling as well. A burnt area, which was possibly used as workshop, was found in front of the north wall of this dwelling. The recent studies show that the houses in the lower settlement, the largest house no.20, Room 6E / M1 and M2, and the buildings in Trench 5 / E, F, G and 4 F were built on a large single block. At the western border of Building 26 in the plan square 5F, there are two rectangular cells located side by side. These cells are well plastered. Behind these cells, two holes, which were renewed several times, were found. Baked and unbaked potsherds found in one of the cells indicate that this area could have been used as pottery workshop. Horn deposits were found in the dwellings no.26 and 27. The dwelling no.27 is accessible through a quite high step in the northeast. Behind the entrance, remains of an oven, the mouth of which faces to the northwest, was found. This oven probably belonged to another dwelling located in the east of that dwelling. The floor of this dwelling is located at the higher elevation than the dwelling no.27. The front section of the oven is well plastered and this plaster extends towards the threshold of dwelling no.27. This data suggests that these houses, the doors of which don't connect or opens to a street or passage, were accessible from each other [Gülçur et al. 2015]. During the 2014 studies, the trenches 4-5 G, 4 E, and 3-4 F were excavated. In Trench 4 G, two cells with stone foundation were exposed in the north-south direction of the large rock block. Also, a round hearth and floors were found in the area in front of these cells. It is seen that the southernmost cell was divided into two with an earlier wall. In Trench 4 F, the stone groups that were also seen in the previous seasons were exposed. The area in which these stone groups are found is bordered with two wall extending in the east-west and north-south direction. The fact that the large stone added to the south end of the north-south wall is similar to the block used in the double-wall on the east façade of the city wall found (which also restricts the east road) in the first seasons probably reflects the last phase of the settlement. In Trench 3 F, the east wall of M9 was exposed under the upper phase space M8. Although it is not fully exposed, it is seen that the door on the south long wall opens to the street extending in the northwest-southeast. The dwelling no.30 that was found in the previous season yielded abundant finds. Almost all of the mobile and immobile elements preserved. A ground stone, pottery sherds and a couple of horns were found in front of the intact oven in the southwest corner of Space M4. A very well plastered post hole (?) was found on the floor. The existence of the holes for pots that are plastered with mud near the wall that narrows down space indicates that the area could have been used as storage. Some detailed studies were carried out in Trench 5 F that was damaged due to the dam water. The rectangular structure, the corners of which are visible, found in the corner formed with two walls in the 5 E border of the trench was thought to be an oven when it's first found. However, the detailed studies carried out in 2014 show that this structure could be a silo or two joint working areas [Gülçur et al. 2016:418-422]. Pottery: Black on the exterior; light colored on the interior; bright burnished ware is the main ware group. Incised decorated; flint-scraped ware is also existent. Decorated sherds are rare. Incised and pointille decorations are observed to be used together on some vessels. Chevron decorated sherds were found. There is also one paint decorated sherd. A small jug with two different types of decoration was found. Immediately beneath the rim; is an animal head of which the horns were made with relief; the eyes and nostrils with inlayed decoration. On the body; there are chevron rows made with incised decoration. Additional fragments were found relating to the bowl with snake embossment that was previously found in the earliest residential building phase during the excavations that took place in 2005. Following the reconstruction studies it was found that three different animal motives were made on this black burnished storage vessel. A large; and vessel-long handle was installed onto the vessel in a right angle. It was also found that the fragment carrying a deer horn embossment made in a naturalistic style; revealed three years ago inside the same trench; was supposed to be on the lower body of the vessel [Gülçur 2007:114]. The beak-shape spouted oil lamp almost completely unearthed in the embankment soil in the tower is another significant find [Gülçur 2007:117]. The last missing fragment of the black burnished vessel with a handle containing the face of an animal on one side of its its handle; and the decoration of a snake relief and gazelle antler on the other side was found within the northern trench 6H in 2006. The last fragment contains the relief of a dog with a tail pointing upwards [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:246]. The black burnished storage vessels which are the most elaborately worked artifacts were revealed during the 2007 researches as they were during the previous researches [Gülçur-Çayli 2009:273]. In 2008 black burnished storage vessels composed the most common group as they did in former years. A small salt-shaker-like vessel with a pretty thick wall and a pierced rim, and another thick walled vessel with basket-handle-like arms joining together over the vessel's body, and a handle resembling an animal's body in frontal view are the first such specimens ever. The brown goat's head with burnished surface and obsidian marquetry in the eyes found by accident by children inside the dam reservoir's deposit in front of the north slope of the rock is the third specimen in that form. The vessel with a snake relief with fragments yielded in different years found on the floor covering of house 10 inside trench 6 H was reconstructed. There is a snake depiction on vessel surface, with a fish scale pattern decoration made by white colored filling insertions that descends making curves starting from underneath the neck to the bottom [Gülçur-Çayli 2010:366]. The most intense type of pottery among those found in 2009 is the dark burnished storage vessels. Some of the samples excavated in the lower settlement are left in place and protected. The potteries captured in Space 7F/M4 in the Upper Settlement are red and turned into white due to high temperature [Gülçur et al. 2011: 300]. In 2011, a great number of potsherds were found in the plan square of 6 F [Gülçur et al. 2013:104]. In 2012, a miniature vase found in Trench 9 E and a jar with narrow neck recovered from Trench 9 F are dated to Late Ubaid Period. In addition, Can Hasan 2A type painted necked jar, black burnished carinated bowls, which are commonly seen in the settlement, and carinated necked storage jars in various size were recovered [Gülçur et al. 447]. In 2014, the necked jar containing a Late Ubaid infant burial and the simple incised decorations on the small bowl found in the road fill indicate a new style [Gülçur et al. 2016:422]. Clay: Baked clay pig figurine; a ring; fragments of cylindrical beads; the torso of an animal figurine with broken feet and head; and a head of a figurine probably belonging to a woman with a high polos were recovered. Among the clay objects which were not oven-dried found in 2005 researches; the andirons constitute the majority and the figurines come second. There is a figurine fragment that describes a women with large hips in hocker position with its upper body missing. The small hole at the breaking line of the figurine possibly points at the installable head part of the figurine. Just as in the previous years the wheel; loaf of bread or earplug shape masses with two holes on the surface; containing condensed small stones; and mica were unearthed [Gülçur 2007:117]. In 2006; within the old buildings' debree inside trench 6H a seal fragment was revealed; made of black stone which contains the figure of a hoofed animal with the motif of the tree of life between its extremities on the stamp surface [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:250]. In 2008 a neatly worked grayish cattle with broken horn tips and cylindrically shaped swallen clay beads with vertically pierced bodies of which specimens were previously seen were yielded [Gülçur-Çayli 2010:367]. The most striking find recovered in 2012 was an impression of seal dated to the Late Ubaid Period. The impression was made on a unbaked clay piece. Probably, stylized ram head and scorpion figures were depicted [Gülçur et al. 2014:447]. In 2013, a miniature figurine with a dimension of 2 cm was found. This figurine has chubby cheeks, fat body and a hat. Similar figurines were found during the first years of the excavations and in Kösk Höyük I as well [Gülçur et al. 2015]. In 2014, a great number of beads produced from pottery paste were found [Gülçur et al. 2016:422]. Chipped Stone: A little amount of plaque* scrapers; scrapers on blades are among the obsidian finds. There are also Y-faced blades. Among the polished stone tools revealed during the 2005 researches the two flat axes found at different locations are the most exquisite examples found until now [Gülçur 2007: 118] The examples from the 2006 excavation diversified the obsidian finds even more. The triangular necklace made of a grayish blade containing holes for strings and the obsidian flake containing triangular traces of cuts on its surface; which could not be identified in terms of its usage purpose; are the first such examples at Güvercinkayasi [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:250]. Obsidian tools are represented in the chipped stone industry of Güvercinkayasi with a rate approximately of 99%. The 2007 researches revealed that a portion of the elaborate products that can be listed among prestige objects were made of flintstones but it is unclear whether these were carried into the settlement through imports [Gülçur-Çayli 2009:273]. The fact that chip and blade cores are especially found in the upper settlement in 2009 proves that some tools are produced in this part of the settlement [Gülçur et al. 2011: 300]. During the removing the fill of the room of 6/G M3, obsidian knapping waste in two separate clusters were recovered near the bottom rows of the south wall [Gülçur et al. 2013:105]. In 2012, an obsidian mirror, which has a small loop-handle on its outer face, was found. The workshops, knapping wastes, cores and large flakes stored as raw material, which were discovered in previous seasons, indicate that the mirrors had been produced in the settlement [Gülçur et al. 448]. In 2014, two pieces among the obsidian assemblage are noteworthy. These are two flakes prepared for producing a necklace. The ends of these flakes were probably broken during the perforating process and they were discarded without making any retouch [Gülçur et al. 2016:423]. Ground Stone: Abundant grinding stones were recovered. A grinding stone of which the convex back was shaped to fit in the fingers is an interesting find. A large amount of groundstones were revealed at the tower building which cuts through the concave defense wall at the internal fortress [Gülçur 2007:115]. Bone / Antler: Goat and deer horns are observed to be especially stored. It is obtained that the horns used as tools or for ritual activities [Gülçur 1999:65]. A smaller amount of bone finds were unearthed during the researches in 2005 compared to the previous years. The most significant examples are a spatula made of rib; an awl made of a long bone; and another spatula made of a long bone [Gülçur 2007:118]. The awls and spatula-like tools which are assumed to be used in leather industry have an important place among 2007 finds. The thin, bone handle which contains a shafthole which is assumed to be for placing blade or bladelets is among the first of such specimens. The necklace pendant which is one of the first specimens of Güvercinkayasi was produced of the tooth of a herbivore by piercing it vertically and tying with a string [Gülçur-Çayli 2009:273]. A very small amount of animal bones were revealed in 2008 due to in newly excavated areas floor levels of houses were not reached. The only important find is believed to be a sewing needle made of hare bone with an oval needle eye [Gülçur-Çayli 2010:367]. It is worth noting the two stamps found in 2009 alongside a piece of a belt buckle made of animal bones. And alongside the ordinary awls and spatulas found in the slope embankment, many extraordinary awl-like tools with long thin barrels are captured [Gülçur et al. 2011: 300]. The 2010 excavations in the southern part of the settlement yielded 48 bone artifacts in total. These bone artifacts were found in almost all of the excavated area (which are 5G, 6F, 6G, 6H, 7F, 8F, 7-8H, 8EF, 9F and the baulk between squares 7G and 7F). Points and awls made from long bones and sleeves made from deer antler are the most common tools. A perform of perforated tool made from an antler tine was found below Bin 1 in square 7F-Mekan 4. A stamp seal; a needle; a chisel made from an antler tine; a bead made from a section of a small animal (bird?); a blunt perforated point; a narrow spatula; the fragments of a knife handle; a perforated first phalanx of equid and a large perforated tool are also rare finds. Although these artifacts are rare, they are known from the bone artifacts repertoire of Güvercinkayasi. The great majority of the finds can be dated to the Middle Chalcolithic and the stamp seal is dated to the Late Chalcolithic. The bone stamp seal discovered in 2010 excavation campaign depicts an animal with horns. This animal is represented going uphill on a rocky terrain. The seal is in trapezoid form and its largest side is 25 mm in length and the smallest 18.5 mm. The length of the seal is about 24.7 mm and its maximum thickness is 7 mm [Christidou 2013: 106-108]. In 2014, it was observed that the number of heavy-duty tools produced from the deer horn found in the lower levels of the settlement is increased. However, there was no difference in other bones tools [Gülçur et al. 2016:423]. Human Remains: A short jar with a narrow neck and the opening facing outside shut with storage jar sherds placed inside a small pit was found at trench 8 F in the bailey. A baby skeleton lying in fetus position was found inside that calcareous and intense grit tempered pasted jar stained in colors differing between brown and grizzle with a surface pretty much worn. With its spherical body jug and narrow neck which is a first such specimen in this settlement this burial is not anything like the usual ones found at Güvercinkayasi [Gülçur-Çayli 2010:365]. In 2013, two small rooms were exposed below the mudbrick structure belonging to Late Ubaid Period in Trench 4 G. The one in the west yielded a small pot. Inside this pot, skeleton remains of a neonate were found. Together with this burial, the number of burials belonging to Late Chalcolithic / Late Ubaid Period increased to two [Gülçur et al. 2015]. In 2014, a pot burial containing a neonate was found in the southernmost cell in Trench 4 G [Gülçur et al. 2016:419]. Fauna: It is understood that sheep (Ovis aries) and goat (Capra hircus) are domesticated by the studies of Buitenhuis. The slaughter of old females suggests the importance of milk [Gülçur 1999:64]. Only one wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) horn proves the existence of this kind. There are bones of cattle; small horse (Slender equid); red fox (Vulpes vulpes); fallow deer (Cervus elaphus); roe deer (Caprelous caprelous) and a kind of yellow deer (Dama dama) among the other finds. The researches performed at the internal fortress in 2005 revealed antler and bones of various animals left along with an andiron inside a pit filled with soft ashes in the tower building cut by the concave defense fortification. The forked antler at top belongs to a very large wild deer; and the one below it belongs to a very large bull; the third one belongs to a goat [Gülçur 2007: 115]. The researches of 2006 revealed rectangular boxes of clay for preservation purposes surrounded by bones of various animals such as gazelles; wild boars; snakes and dogs inside the residences within the oldest layer [http://cat.une.edu.au/page/guvercinkayasi; 29.5.2008; 14:30]. The lion leg which carries tooth marks of other carnivorous animals, which was possibly brought inside the settlement, and the nail specimen of a large size feline are also among important finds [Gülçur-Çayli 2009:273]. Other: Beads are among the common finds at Güvercinkayasi. Hand made grayish colored cylindrical bead made of potter's clay is the first example of its kind. The small cylindrical bead made of honey-colored; agate-like opaque stone; containing large holes for strings is among the rare finds of elaborate handicrafts. The disk shaped flat bead made of a local stone; which was punctured vertically in the center is among more common handicrafts [Gülçur-Kiper 2008:250] An item which is possibly a pin that could not be identified whether natural copper or obtained through melting due to lack of necessary analysis and one intact and one nearly half bead, and two small pieces which were formed into plates by percussion are important finds of 2007 campaign [Gülçur-Çayli 2009:274]. Some beads were yielded inside the settlement in addition to the necklace consisting of flat and small red and white beads placed inside the grave as present during 2008 excavations [Gülçur - Çayli 2010:367]. In 2009 a statuette is captured in the North slope of Lower Settlement right under the thick wall made of marble which is believed to represent a swaddled baby. The statuette has a pointy head, round face, blunt limbs, and fat body. The eyes are marked by two thin lines. Over the body a groove exists like yoke below the chest which is believed to have something to do with clothing; and two crossing bands over the shoulder are attached to it. And a conical bead made of a red stone and two small flat axes made of dark greenish stones are among the important findings [Gülçur et al. 2011: 297]. In 2012, two Mediterranean shells (Spisula fsolida) were recovered from Trench 9 F and 6 F. The holes on the shells show that these were used as bead or pendant. Trench 4 G yielded a similar shell (Conidae-Conus mediterraneus) as well [Gülçur et al. 2014:448]. During the 2014 studies, two seals dated to Late Chalcolithic/Late Ubaid were found in the slope trenches. Both of the seals were worked on a black stone. One of them is broken and there is probably a depiction of a hoofed animal on it. The second one is intact but it is no possible to understand whether the surface is very abraded or the depiction was not finished. The traces indicate that an animal was also depicted on this seal. The form of this seal is different than the others. The ends of the vertically perforated string-hole point that it could be used as a pendant. In addition to these, stone and limestone beads in various forms are also noteworthy [Gülçur et al. 2016:422-423].
Remains:
Interpretation and Dating: It may be interpretated; for now; that the site consists of one level; nd dates to the Chalcolithic Age due to the resemblances with the uppermost level finds of Nigde Kösk Höyük. The recovery of wares; resembling Karaz ware; and the scraped-faced bowls; belonging to the Late Ubaid-Early Uruk Period; suggest more than one level at the site. The rocky; probably; had to have some properties that attracted the attention of those who settled here. The migration road may have passed from here; because this region was the only place where Melendiz River was fordable. The existence of a fresh water source or the shelter of the rocky may have effected the location of the settlement. According to the organization of the buildings and the usage of storage units in a specific order; it is believed that there was a planned settlement. It is also suggested that during 5000-4800 BC; about 800 years before the emerge of urbanization; a social class similar to landowners had appeared in Central Anatolia. The proving of this classified society in Central Anatolia; which takes its power from the plus product or wide land and is able to defense its property by thick walls; is debatable. Following the excavations that took place in 2005; it is stated that the so called small size Chalcolithic Age over the rock settlement bore important facts on the socioeconomical; and sociopolitical transformations of the pre-urbanization phase [Gülçur 2007:118]. A different kind of ceramicware was found within the residences of the last phase during the researches in 2006; which can be related to the styles of Eastern Anatolia (possibly Ubaid Period). Some of the finds revealed inside the Phase D for instance the a seal made of a black stone which possesses none of the local characteristics clearly displays the Eastern Anatolian relations. The figure on this object is similar to a life tree. The radiocarbon dates identified for the settlement (5.200-4.750 BC) demonstrated that all the layers dated the similar dates of Kösk Höyük Layer 1 and Mersin XVI [http://cat.une.edu.au/page/guvercinkayasi; 29.5.2008; 14:30]. The 2007 campaign unveiled two important facts. The development of the defense systems which grew hand-inhand with urbanization, in other words the concrete findings on the development of military systems. And the intensifying copper finds. When the necessary analysis are finalized these finds that are dated to pre-refractive metallurgy will provide guidance in the sense of the developments during the toddling phase of metallurgy [Gülçur-Çayli 2009:276].


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