©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project

Hacilar

For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...

maps

For photographs please click on the photo...

Hacılar
Type:
 Mound
Altitude:
 920 m
Region:
 Mediterranean
Province:
 Burdur
District:
 Merkez
Village:
 Hacilar
Investigation Method:
 Excavation
Period:
 Early

     

Location: The site is located 26.5 km southwest of the city of Burdur and 1.5 km west of the village of Hacilar.
Geography and Environment: The site lies in a valley 940/970 m above sea level along the northern flanks of the Taurus Mountains. The valley is 100 m above the level of Burdur Lake. The eastern part of the valley faces the Taurus mountains. The mound; which lies east of Koca Stream; has a 135 m diameter and is 5 m high [Mellaart 1970a:xii;189]. The Aceramic Neolithic settlement at Hacilar is the earliest settlement at the site. O. Erol's research in the area determined that these first inhabitants came to the area after Burdur Lake receded to 930-935 m [Erol 1972:35].
History:
Research and Excavation: Excavations were conducted by J. Mellaart in the name of British Archaeological Institute at Ankara in 1957-60. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Stratigraphy: Three major cultural periods were observed at the site. The uppermost levels (I-V) belong to the Eaarly Chalcolithic Age; Levels VI-IX belong to the LNA; while the levels on top of the virgin soil; the earliest cultural period; belong to the Aceramic Neolithic according to Mellaart. However; this period is thought to be Ceramic Neolithic; and not Aceramic; due to the latest research at the site. Therefore; these levels may date to the ENA [Harmankaya et al. 1997:Hacilar]. The stratigraphy of Hacilar is as follows: I-V: Early Chalcolithic Age VI-IX: Late Neolithic Age I-VII: Aceramic / Early Neolithic Age.
Small Finds: Architecture: Hacilar V: Many floor pieces were recovered from the settlement; founded after the LNA Level VI was destroyed by a fire [Harmankaya et al. 1997:Hacilar]. It is observed that the Early Chalcolithic settlers wanted to dig the LNA (VI) well again; and the structures of Level VI were damaged [Harmankaya et al. 1997:Hacilar; plan 3; Trench Q]. There were no building elements; but floor pieces; sherds; and small finds. There are two reasons for this according to Mellaart: Either inhabitants did not want to build the Level V structures just on top of the damaged Level VI buildings or the building material was light and undurable. However; the revelation of such structures later; disproves this assumption. According to the characteristics of the pottery; Hacilar V is a short Transition Period [Mellaart 1970:23]. Hacilar IV: The settlement moved to the north; and it is mostly beneath Hacilar II. Courtyards for daily usage; and a mud-brick structure were revealed. They are in the same construction technique as the Hacilar VI settlement. Hacilar III: The settlement spreaded out to the north and east. A little amount of structural remains show that the building tradition did not change from the end of Hacilar VI to IIA. Hacilar II: Hacilar II settlement; belonging to the second half of the 6th Millennium BC; covers a rectangular area of approximately 2000 meter squares; and is observed to be surrounded with a thick mud-brick wall without a stone foundation. Towers with stone foundation are existent at the north of the defense wall; between the two is a narrow gate opening to the courtyard; which is the main entrance. To the southwest is another gate. The southern courtyard is reached through a passage; and another corridor-like passage provides the way to the top of the defense wall. The small gate at the northeast functions as the entrance and exit of the sacred space. Hacilar II settlement was divided into specific areas such as the section where the houses are located; the central section where the pottery workshops with courtyards at both sides are located; and to the east is the section where the daily open air activities were conducted. Houses at the western section were placed in such a way that made all houses accessible from the courtyard. The back wall of the houses lean on the defense wall. Houses contain one main room and one entrance room. Deposit characteristics suggest two stories within the houses that contain two rooms. A rectangular hearth and post traces are observed on the floor in the main room. These rooms usually contain one or two inner bastions; house fitments such as platform; and clay honeycombs were found in some of the houses. The southern courtyard seperates the houses and the structure at the northwest; identified as granary because of the recovery of abundant grains on the floor; grain pits; and pits on the floor; from the southern structures. One of the three structures; located in this section; is a sacred space; the other is a big room; and the other at the eastern is a structure built independent of others. The sacred space consists of a main room; an entrance room; a small space at the west; a small courtyard and another space paved with pebbles outside of the structure. A hearth and a bread-oven in the entrance room is seperated from the western part of the space by a low partition wall. The recovered sherds and finds from this section suggest that the structure had a ritual function. Pedestals of pillars supporting the hearth; oven; niche; and the second storey at the main room were revealed. This structure was continued to be used in Level II B like most of the other structures. The center of the settlement is the area where the pottery workshops are located. Three workshops; except for one; were also used in Level II B. Grinding stones; paint vessels; pallets; decoration tools; and many unused vessels were recovered as well as hearth; bastion; pillar pedestals; and partition walls. Pottery kilns are assumed to be located out of the settlement; because there were no other kilns revealed besides the bread-oven. The southern courtyard to the west is thought to be the area where the animals were kept. The northeastern section at Hacilar II A contained a sacred structure; a well; many structures functioning as kitchens; and a few houses. The same area contained big and small houses at II B after the fire; and was rather unimportant. There were variations in building material; but building principels did not change. A courtyard with a well; surrounded by stones; is located at the northeastern part of the settlement at II A. Many charred floral remains were recovered from the well. There is a hearth and a honeycomb north of the courtyard. The northeastern door opens directly to the sacred structure which gives access to the south and the east. Structural elements such as two big hearths; one furnace; one fire place; storage pits; niches; pits surrounded by clay and painted plaster pieces suggest that the structure was used for cult purposes. It is seperated from the western section by a door. The revealed 16 pillar pedestals are thought to be supporting the roof of this approximately 8x6 m area. They are also interpretated to be paint decorated; thus making it the most privileged structure among the others. Moreover; various finds; burials below the floor; its location that was in control of the passage to the well suggest that the structure had other special function besides the possibility of being a mansion or a cult place. After Hacilar II A was conflagrated; the eastern area was not settled in the old style. The small storage space at the west; one sacred space; two pottery workshops; six houses; and approximately 10 hearths are observed to be existent [Mellaart 1973:23-37]. There is an evident cultural change in Hacilar I (castle) settlement. This change is interpreted by the arrival of a new community; while the continious pottery characteristics are attributed to the groups who still lived in Hacilar after the fire. Flattening of the burnt settlement remains by the new people caused Levels V-II to get extremely damaged. The castle of Hacilar I is built of approximately 3 m thick mud-brick walls over foundations with a single stone course. Negative traces of matresses are observed on the clay floors. Walls are plastered with mud. Although there are hearths; platforms; pillar pedestals; bastions; and wooden beams; which are thought to be used as shelf or cupboard; no doors or windows could be revealed at the excavated area. Entrances were probably at the roof. Most of the revealed spaces are observed to be functioning as a storage. Therefore; existence of an upper storey; built of light material; may be possible. This is proved by the 2 m thick ash; wreck; finds that fell down from the upper storey; and especially remains of burnt child skeletons; which filled the lower level spaces because of the fire at the end of I B. The entrance to the castle settlement is at the southeast. There were no ateliers; workshops or sacred spaces in the excavated area. The settlement is observed to be defensive. Hearth; pillar pedestals; and benches revealed at the eastern section suggest that the area was a dwelling place; and that it was a single building complex with many spaces. The western section; containing corridors; storages; and spaces with passages to the upper storey; has a few dwelling rooms. Its deposit shows that the living rooms were at the upper stories. A careless construction (I C and I D) is observed on the old deposit at the same place after the destruction of Hacilar I castle settlement by fire. A paved area; interpretated as a courtyard; at the western half of the settlement; a space with a fore room; and a few space remains are revealed. Structural remains such as thin walls with stone foundation were seriously damaged by Hellenistic and modern activities [Mellaart 1970:21-37; 75-87]. Pottery: Hand-made and burnished pottery of Hacilar consists of two main groups: monochrome and painted vessels. Nonexistence of cooking pots is interesting. Red is dominant at the monochrome pottery of Hacilar V. Painted vessels are more intense compared to the previous levels; and are made with more care compared to the monochrome vessels. Red and variants of red over beige surface are observed. There are complicated geometric decorations. Although very few in number; decorations that are fantastic in style begin to emerge. Forms are bowl; ovoid vessels; and jars. Carinated profiles are observed at painted bowls. The continuity of LNA tradition may be claimed for the pottery of Level V [Mellaart 1970:109-112]. An important increase of painted vessels is observed in Hacilar IV pottery; while the monochrome vessels are in the same characteristics of Level V. Unpainted group is reddish-brown or buff colored. Animal head-shaped lugs are abundant. Incised lines on the rims are new. There are miniature vessels; big carinated bowls; jars; and an interesting head-like rhyton. Forms of the painted vessels are small and medium carinated; deep; big bowls; and necked jars with narrow mouths. Geometrical textile decorations are observed to be usual; and number of fantastic decorations increase [Mellaart 1970:112-113]. Hacilar II A pottery is of high quality. Decoration variety is rich. Paint dexcorated vessels are more than the half of the total. Reserved decorations; fantastic style; big forms; and light colors are the characteristics of this group. Monochrome vessels are light brown; orange-buff; and bright burnished. There are many and various carinated bowls. Animal head-shaped handles or jars with lugs are still observed. The anthropomorphic vessel; on which handles represent the ears while the vertical line in the front represent the nose; is an interesting find [Mellaart 1970:115-117; 119]. Painted vessels at II B are more than the half of the total; and form variations of monochrome vessels increase. Carinated bowls are abundant; and there are parallels of the marble vessels. The developed technique was not effected by the disaster at the end of II A. Parallel lines; staircase and textile motifs of the painted vessels disappear. On the contrary; fantastic style and reserved decoration are very well developed [Mellaart 1970:182-120]. The paste; paint; slip; and the technique are different in Hacilar I pottery. Linear style is dominant in decoration while the fantastic style has disappeared. Red over crème painted vessels are dominant among the painted vessels. White painted vessels are less in number. Incised and fluted decorated coarse ware group is observed besides the monochrome group. Relief decoration is especially common on human and animal-shaped vessels. Besides the bowl and jars; there are ovoid; square; rectangular vessels; resembling the wooden vessels and baskets. New forms are beakers; mugs; small bowls; and anthropomorphic vessels [Mellaart 1970:130-142]. Clay: Many pierced sherds from Hacilar V-I; and many painted and non-painted figurine pieces were recovered from Hacilar III. A headless painted figurine from the temple of Level II; and incised decorated clay seals unique to II B; thought to be used as pintadera; were recovered. Steatopic characteristics are observed at the figurines found in III and II. The paint decorations on them provide information about the clothes. The Early Chalcolithic Age figurines of Hacilar are observed to be limited in number; variety; and also decoration when compared to the LNA examples. Stylization is observed at Hacilar I figurines: Arms and legs are shortened; and breasts are salient. Animal figurines were recovered from Levels III and I [Mellaart 1970:24; 29; 164; 177-179]. Chipped Stone: Although flintstone is dominant; obsidian is also used intensely as a raw material. According to the analyses; obsidian was being brought from a source 8 km east of Acigöl-Topada 11 km southeast of Nevsehir; while flintstone is observed to be local. The chipped stone industry of Hacilar V-I is observed to be blade industry; and the retouched and unretouched blades make up the 90% of the total material. Tool variaition is very limied [Mellaart 1970:153-157]. Ground Stone: Sling stones and stone vessels from Hacilar V and IV; and only one stone vessel were recovered from III. Pallets; fluted stones from II and III; marble bowl pieces from II A and II B; stone vessels in various forms and beads were recovered from the temple of II B. Axes and mace heads made of colored rocks were found in II and I. A bracelet made of brown limestone was found in I. Beads; recovered from almost every level; are not various. There are also pounders as well as burnishing stones [Mellaart 1970:24; 29; 150; 157-161]. Bone / Antler: Antler rods/shafts were usually recovered (in IV and II) together with axes and chisels. A ring made of bone from Level II; a sickle-blade belonging to the end of II and the beginnings of Level I; and spatulas and awls were recovered from almost every level. There are also belt buckles especially recovered between Levels VI and II. Some of the tips of the spatules are incised decorated [Mellaart 1970:157-158; 161-162]. Metal: Copper usage is existent at the Early Chalcolithic Age settlement of Hacilar; but not very common. A little amount of bead and pin pieces were recovered from II A-B and I A-B [Mellaart 1970:153]. Human Remains: There were no burials in Hacilar V. Eight burials at Level IV; one burial at Level III; three burials of a single child; and a woman; together with her child below the floor of the sacred space northeast of the II A settlement; and five burials were revealed below floors at I B. These rare finds hint the existence of the extramural burial tradition in all periods. Flexed burials in ovoid pits without a specific lying direction are observed. Not every burial has grave goods. One or two bowls could be found in four or five of the eight graves revealed at Hacilar IV. An ovoid vessel near the woman; and a small painted bowl was found near the child at Hacilar II A. Another skeleton found on the floor at the same place probably belongs to the victims of the fire at the end of Hacilar II A [Mellaart 1970:36; 88 - 91]. Fauna: Various animals are observed to be represented by the figures drawn on the sherds in the Early Chalcolithic Age of Hacilar. Moreover; carnivorous animals (Canis sp.indet.); ungulates such as red deer; mouflon; sheep or goat; and cattle; and gnawing animal bones were recovered from Level III [Mellaart 1970:124; 245]. Flora: Flora of Early Chalcolithic Age of Hacilar is especially known by the very well preserved floral find in the unused well belonging to Level III; the end of Level II; and the beginnings of Level I. Barley is abundant at Level III; and is followed by bread wheat and pea. Six-row barley is observed to be intense at Level II; and wheat; lentil remains are rare. Cultivated plants such as barley; Emmer wheat; wild Einkorn; lentil; pea; and vetch were recovered from the Levels II-I besides the various wild plants [Mellaart 1970:195-242]. Other: Some of the shells; found in Hacilar IV and I; are observed to be pierced and used as pendents [Mellaart 1970:159].
Remains:
Interpretation and Dating: Hacilar V; the first building level of Early Chalcolithic Age; is thought to be a short Transition Period; belonging to 5600-5500 BC; after the destruction of the LNA settlement of Hacilar [Mellaart 1970:23]. Levels IV. and III. are also thought to be Transitional settlements with weak and undurable construction characteristics. A new building activity is observed with Hacilar II; dating to 5400 BC. The population is thought to be approximately 100 persons. A 14C date from Hacilar II A; is 5436+-119 (5219+-131). The destruction of II B by fire caused II A settlement to get smaller and deserted (5247+-119). Therefore; the development; lasting from the LNA Level IX; came to an end approximately in 5250 BC [Mellaart 1970:37; 92-93]. Hacilar I settlement; dating to 5250-5000 BC by Mellaart; is the end of Early Chalcolithic Age; and discloses the arrival of a new community with a different painted pottery tradition; figurine-making; and architecture [Mellaart 1970:94].


To List