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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Hocaçesme |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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Mound |
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Altitude:
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60 m |
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Region:
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Marmara |
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Province:
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Edirne |
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District:
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Enez |
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Village:
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Yenice |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Early |
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| Location: The site lies south-southwest of Edirne; 4 km southeast of Enez District; north of the fountain (known as Hocaçesme or Çobançesme); at the north side of the road after 2 km from Yenice Village. |
| Geography and Environment: It is a small mound; measuring 70x80 m in diameter. It is located at the edge of an approximately 300 m long natural ridge (for detailed information see. Harmankaya et al. 1997:Hocaçesme). The mound is located at the starting of Maritsa delta; extending from Enez to Middle Thrace and Bulgaria. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The mound; discovered by S. Basaran in 1984; was excavated by M. Özdogan in 1990 as a part of Enez Excavation. An area approximate area 700 meter squares was excavated. The finds provided considerable data for the uncovering of the preliminary phases of production in Northern Marmara. |
| Stratigraphy: 7 levels were revealed from the surface down to the bedrock. Özdogan grouped these levels in 4 phases according to the architecture and pottery characteristics: Level 1: Phase 1 Levels 2-4: Phase 2 Levels 5-6: Phase 3 Level 7: Phase 4. Levels 4; 3 and even 2 date to the end of LNA and the beginnings of Early Chalcolithic Age. Each of these phases are observed to have gone through a separate process of development; but within the same cultural horizon especially due to the existence of a single fortification wall. However; Phase 1 is entirely different than others. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: Phase 1: Architectural remains; belonging to this phase; were revealed at the southern slope trenches. Remains; which were thought to be located on top of the mound; vanished due to destruction. Many waste pits were found dating to the same period. Mussel shells; dating to the same period; were observed at the slope trenches. The wall; which functioned in Phases 4-2 as a city wall or fortification wall; is observed to be destroyed and used as a platform. The remains of a rounded rectangular storehouse; belonging to 1c; were also revealed. Pottery: Phase 1: After the pottery analyses; this phase is observed to be consisting of at least three sub-phases due to the ware properties. Burnished decorated bowls of Kumtepe 1a - Besik-Sivri Tepe; vessels of Karanovo IV; and vessels with pedestals of Proto Maritsa-Paradimi were recovered from Sub-Phase 1a. Black burnished pottery is observed to be common at Sub-Phase 1b. Triangular or rectangular box-like vessels with pedestals; plates with high pedestals and thick lips; carinated bowls; and horn handles are existent. Groove; fluted; impressed; pointille; and incised decorations are observed on some of the vessels. Black burnished wares are abundant at Sub-Phase 1c. Coarse wares are also existent. This ware is coarse-faced and decorated with nail impressions. Bone / Antler: Bone spoons; recovered from this phase; are thought to be mixed with the lower levels. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: 1st Level; the uppermost phase; of Hocaçesme is totally different from the lower levels. However; the revelation of Anatolian and Southeastern Europe elements together displays the cultural affinity between the two regions. This phase is mostly dated by the pottery finds. According to the analyses; Phase 1a is thought to be contemporary with Kumtepe 1a Besik-Sivri Tepe; Toptepe 1; Asagi Pinar 3-4; Karanovo IV Midde Period; Vinca A-B Transition; 1b is contemporary with Asagi Pinar 5; Yarimburgaz O; Ilipinar V; Vinca A; the end of Karanovo III; and 1c is contemporary with Toptepe II-IV; Karanovo II-III Transition Period [Karul 1994:29-30; Özdogan 1993:183-184]. In short; it may be interpretated that mutual cultural relations between Anatolia and Balkans in the LNA and Early Chalcolithic Age; and the concrete evidences of these relations were revealed in Hocaçesme. The communities of Hocaçesme knew about agriculture and stockbreeding besides hunting / fishing. There is not a 14C of Phase 1 yet. |
