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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Altindere / Avratlar |
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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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Single Findspot |
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Altitude:
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85 m |
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Region:
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Mediterranean |
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Province:
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Hatay |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Merkez |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Period:
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AP |
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| Location: This open-air site lies in the western section of the city of Antakya; in the fields immediately west of the Altindere/Avratlar Stream at the location called Altinçay Kapisi in Gündüz Street. |
| Geography and Environment: The Palaeolithic tools in the fields close to the Altindere Stream were found in a 1 m thick gravely and pebbly layer that lies beneath the shallow layer of topsoil. New chipped stone tools continually appear as the fields are plowed. Kansu reports that the terrace the tools are found on is approximately 13-15 m above the level of the stream near where its spanned by the bridge. This seasonal stream eventually joins the Asi River. The site has been disturbed by modern development. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: Several researchers have conducted surveys and collected surface finds at this site. The site was discovered in 1943 by Nurettin Can who found two biface handaxes in the sandy layer of the stream bed about 130 cm beneath the terrace. Enver Bostanci and Muzaffer Senyürek also found numerous tools; including several biface handaxes; in their surveys of these terraces between 1957 and 1960. Because the collection of these artifacts was not systematic and because bifaces were most likely favored; their frequencies among other surface finds is not known. |
| Stratigraphy: |
| Small Finds: Both biface handaxes found by Can are pear-shaped. Although they have thick surface patinas; one of them is made from dark yellowish flint and the other is lighter. Some cortex remains on the striking platform of one of the tools. Their dimensions are 7.3x6.7x2.8 cm and 7.1x6.6x3.2 cm. Sevket Aziz Kansu believes that they resemble Micoquien bifaces [Kansu 1945b:293-294 fig.1]. Yalçinkaya; on the other hand; holds the opinion that this statement requires further investigation [Yalçinkaya 1985:425]. Kansu reports that Can found a Chelléen (Abbevillien) handaxe which is 12.2x8.4x3.5 cm in size [Kansu 1947:227-229. fig.1B]. Can also found a 5.9 cm long flint side scraper. Bostanci and Senyürek's survey yielded a lancehead point; several heart-shaped biface handaxes; and many flakes removed in Clacton and Levallois techniques. The general opinion on the site is that it is Late Upper Acheuléen; Micoquien in character. Senyürek believes that the Upper Acheuléen culture used Clactonien and Levalloisien techniques in their flake removal; except for biface handaxes. Tomsky agrees that the site dates to the final stages of the Acheuléen. The tools were carried to their proveniences through natural processes. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: |
