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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Koçumbeli |
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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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Slope Settlement |
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Altitude:
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1100 m |
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Region:
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Central Anatolia |
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Province:
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Ankara |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Yalincak |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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| Location: The settlement is located 1.5 km far from the Yalincak Village; southwest of Ankara Province. It lies within the territory of the Middle East Technical University between the Yalincak Village and Ahlatlibel settlement; some 2 km far from Ahlatlibel. |
| Geography and Environment: It is located on the slope of a hilly land not so steep. To the south lie rocks where Ahlatlibel stands on while to the west stretches out a small valley. Northern side is open and faces Ankara. Presence of fountains on the south and west exposes the abundance of water in the region. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was excavated in 1964 and 1965 under B. Tezcan with the financial support of the Middle East Technical University; followed by S. Buluç in 1966 by a small sounding. Excavation was carried out in the eastern part of the settlement where is it closer to the valley in a lower level. A survey was started inside the METU Campus area in 2006 [Bertram-Ilegzi 2009:241]. |
| Stratigraphy: Three levels were identified. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: Information about the architectural structure of Koçumbeli is based on the results of 1964 excavation which yielded three levels without providing a regular plan for the first level. Floors of the constructions consisting of stone walls usually in the north-south direction and structures with four-cornered plans were not found. Stone walls are ca. 50-60 cm high; superstructure suggested to continuing in mudbrick. The substructures of thick stone walls are built by big flat stones. A local stone resembling marble (?) was used as raw material. Second level also yielded a similar architectural structure. Being severely damaged by the upper levels; remains of a wall and a hearth were brought to light from this level. It is claimed that remains of another building level might be present in the upper levels of the settlement. G. Ilgezdi and K.K. Bertram performed a study in 2008, in scope of ODTÜ Survey and architectural elements at the old excavation area were documented. The settlement is located on a narrow plateau, and the remains cover an area 45x40 m in dimensions. Koçumbeli was encompassed by walls in south, east and north directions. The south and east walls measure 1.8 m in height at some spots. The space in the east of the wall possibly belongs to a gate. Based on the building elements inside the settlement the main building material was limestone [Bertram-Bertram 2010:386-387]. The architectural plan of the settlement was completed in 2009 after the long-term cleaning in the region. The architectural plan showed that Koçumbeli was a very small sized settlement measures 45x40 m. The settlement was surrounded by an enclosing wall in north, south and east. Probably, there is an entrance on the east part of the enclosing wall. On the west part, the slope is highly steep. Here, a small structure measures 7.5x4.5 m and reaches about the north-south direction were seen. In the interior part of the enclosing wall, only a few short wall remains has been observed [Bertram-Bertram 2012:52]. Pottery: Sherds and intact vessels of handmade; washed and burnished ware were recovered. It is said that samples of wares recovered from all levels are identical; and there is no difference in terms of building levels. Coarse pasted ware is grit and straw tempered while the ones with fine paste are only grit-tempered. Black; brown; red and buff are common as surface colors; some with a thick wash. Almost all of them are burnished. Some of the black vessels are excision decorated. There is a variety of forms. Small vessels with and without handles [Tezcan 1966:pl.VII; XXII]; big vessels [Tezcan 1966:pl.VIII; XXV]; bowls without handles; vases; side spouted pitchers [Tezcan 1966:pl.XXVIII] and lids were recovered. Also found are beautiful samples of ring handled vessels known as specific to EBA in the Ankara region. Clay: Most interesting pieces of this raw material group are stylised forms of idols in terra cotta [Tezcan 1966:pl.XX; XXXII; XXXIII]. Eyes of the goddess figurines shaped with narrow waist; wide body and head are depicted by two carvings. The idols are of flat style. Bodies bear excised figures made probably to describe a belt or a dress. Thin clay was used in their production. It is indicated that the ones without any breast depiction might be male figurines. Figures of sheep and cow represent the religious beliefs of the society. They have a variety of types; and some are decorated. Among the most amazing finds is a toy in the shape of a very small spouted pitcher. When it is shake; it rattles. Plenty of spindle whorls expose the presence of spinning whorl and heavy weaving while rare finds of seals represent the craft of seal engraving. Stamping side of those seals are carved with geometrical motifs; they represent the characteristics of its age. Ground Stone: Limited number of spindle whorls were found. They are different particularly in style and decorations from their identical in terra cotta. Stone baton-heads were recovered. Bone/Antler: Blades in deer antler; hammers and awls in different animal bones represent the samples of this industry. Metal: A few insignificant subjects in copper/bronze was found. Human Remains: A single cist grave uncovered mixed with the finds of the settlements is suggested to relate to EBA IIb-IIIa. The lateral walls of the pit are covered by plate stones. The dead were buried contracted as leaning on his right side and his head oriented toward the east. As grave goods; a spearhead with a folded point and two ear plugs were recovered. Earplugs are suggested to resemble the ones found at Karayavsan [Yakar 1985a:196]. They were found next to the skull; and they don't have particular characteristics. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: Koçumbeli is a findspot excavated by the efforts of the Middle East Technical University and its finds are now exhibited at the museum of the university. It is simpler and poorer than the Ahlatlibel settlement. Architectural remains were uncovered almost; somehow; demolished. B. Tezcan identifies the finds of Koçumbeli as a part of the culture recovered from the mounds of Ahlatlibel; Karaoglan; Etiyokusu and Polatli. Incision/excision decorated items are slightly different from the Ahlatlibel ware. Although no 14C history is available; dating to the second half of the third millennium BC can be suggested depending on its relation to the above mentioned settlements. The main cemetery of the settlement should be explored in the surrounding territory. |
