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Arslantepe

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Arslantepe
Type:
 Mound
Altitude:
 830 m
Region:
 Eastern Anatolia
Province:
 Malatya
District:
 Merkez
Village:
 Bahçebasi
Investigation Method:
 Excavation
Period:
 Middle

     

Location: It is located at Ordüzü Mevkii; northeast of the Malatya Province. At present; Ordüzü Mevkii is a part of the city. The mound Arslantepe (Lions Hill) is named after the lions at the gate which were on the surface even before the excavation started.
Geography and Environment: The excavations suggested that the site had been occupied between the Chalcolithic Age and the Late Hittite Period. With its dimensions; 40 m in height and 120x200 m in size; it is one of the biggest mounds of the region. It is surrounded with gardens which are very rich in water. The abundance of water resources played an important role in selecting it as a mainland throughout the ages. It is also located on the trade route running to Central Anatolia from North Mesopotamia via Tohma Valley.
History:
Research and Excavation: The first researches in Arslantepe was made by L. Delaporte in 1932 to reveal the Late Hittite remains; and lasted until 1939. This was followed by the soundings of C. Schaeffer in 1947-48 to examine the stratigraphy. Excavations were conducted by the hittitologist P. Meriggi from the University of Pavia and archaeologist S. Puglisi in 1961; and were taken over by S. M. Puglisi in 1963 because the epigraphical material was unexpectedly few. After Puglisi; excavations were taken over by A. Palmieri from the University of Roma "La Sapienza"; and they are still being conducted by M. Frangipane [Frangipane 1994a:32-34]. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Stratigraphy: Islamic; Byzantine; and Roman remains were found on the mound. According to the excavations; northeastern; southwestern and western sides of the mound since 1932; the stratigraphy is as follows: Roman and Byzantine (Arslantepe I) IA (Arslantepe II and III)-Neo-Hittite Kingdoms (1100-712 BC) LBA II (Arslantepe IV)-Hittite Empire (1600-1200 BC) LBA I (Arslantepe V B)-Early Hittite (1750-1600 BC) MBA (Arslantepe V A)-Palaeo-Assyrian colonies (2000-1750 BC) EBA III (Arslantepe VI D)-Early Dynastic III B, Akkadian, Ur III (2500-2000 BC) EBA II (Arslantepe VI C)-Early Dynastic II-III A (2750-2500 BC) EBA I (Arslantepe VI B)-Jemdet Nasr, Early Dynastic I (3000-2800 BC) Late Chalcolithic 5 (Arslantepe VI A)-Late Uruk Mesopotamia (3350-3000 BC) Late Chalcolithic 3-4 (Arslantepe VII)-Early and Middle Uruk (3800-3350 BC) Late Chalcolithic 1-2 (Arslantepe VIII)-Late Ubaid (4250-3900 BC) The period VI A was regarded as EBA Ia in previous studies, However, the period was named Late Chalcolithic in recent studies [http://www.arslantepe.com/en/stratigraphy/, 02.03.16, 16:27].
Small Finds: Architecture: Arslantepe VIII; well preserved and containing the earliest period remains of the mound; was found below the Local Late Chalcolithic Arslantepe VIII Period levels; at the western section of the site. It dates to last phase of Ubaid-the beginning of the Late Chalcolithic Age and is represented with five structures around a plastered open court or a small courtyard. The western structures have eroded while the two southern structures were destructed by fire. Only a small portion of the northern structure was excavated. The deposit of the structures destroyed by fire is sterile except for a collapsed door. Materials; which were thought to be used for baking bread; were recovered from the eastern structure. A great amount of carbonized grains and grinding stones were found on the floor and around one big and two small ovens. Arslantepe VII: Arslantepe VII Local Late Chalcolithic Age settlement almost covers the entire mound. The area is divided into sections with different functions. The house structures are located at the northeastern part. The plans and the dimensions of the structures; which have mudbrick walls and two or more rooms; are different. The house structures can be categorized in two groups: The first group contains one oven; plastered tubs; and clay fitments. It has a rectangular plan and adjacent rooms. The other group consists of one small room and one big room with a rectangular plan. The walls are sometimes decorated with red; black; and white geometrical figures. The structures contain one big oven. The contemporary monumental mudbrick constructions west of the mound hint the existence of a different social class. These structures are observed to have two phases. The structures with 50 cm thick mudbrick walls built on foundation of small and medium-sized stones are followed by colossal structures with 1.20 m thick mudbrick walls decorated with red and black wall paintings. The partition walls and the non-plastered raised floors show that this structure went through a space arrangement at its second phase. In one of the western structures; a few stone steps are built as a passage to another structure which is on higher ground. There are red and black wall paintings on white plaster of the thick walls in almost every room of the colossal structure; consisting of many spaces; in which the partition walls are not attached to the main walls. Although they are not entirely cleaned; wall paintings are observed to be consistent of incised decorations with thin bands. Another interesting feature of the structure is the earth plastered columns made of mudbrick that were set beside the walls of the spaces. They are thought to have a decorational function. One of them; preserved up to 90 cm in height; has a stone pedestal. Another column at another space and this 90 cm high column are located near a fireplace. The fireplaces consist of a circular pit and a hole in which fuel was put. Another space; located to the east; more than 7 m in length; has a rectangular plan. The existence of storage vessels; jars; and grinding stones suggest that this space was used as a store house. Another space; from which a mace head; and the clay objects similar to "hut symbols" and "eye idols" were recovered; is thought to have a special function. Besides the houses; an open courtyard was revealed. Its floor is thin mud plastered and covered with sherds [Frangipane 1992:181-183; 1994b:217]. The 2012 studies yielded remains belonging to the end of 4th millennium BC. A quite large room belonging to the VIA (Late Chalcolithic 5) was exposed below the area, in which the "chief's hut" belonging to VIB1 was found, in the north of Building 36. The walls of the room were covered by white plaster. There are niches on the short walls. The mud brick rubble layer inside the room was covered with carbonized grain. This suggests that the structure might have a second storey. To the north of the room, two doors (?) are located. It was believed that this room was related to the area where the elite dwellings belonging to VIA were exposed in previous seasons. There are two narrow passages on the south wall that opens to the Palace VIA [Frangipane et al. 2014:459]. In 2013, the wall and floor of the Temple C belonging to the end of Level VII (BC 3500-3400) were excavated. The temple, covering an area of more than 400 square meters, has the appearance of Mesopotamian tripartite plan. It was built with large flagstones on a terraced slope. By removing of its wall and floor, the complex construction technique of the structure was revealed. Dressed and large stone plaques were covered with clay. In the east section, these blocks were placed on a series of horizontal beams. The reason of this could be related to the need to equally distribute the weight of building. It could also be a precaution against the earthquake. Remains of a damaged wall painting were encountered at one corner of the main room. A vase-like figure was depicted on this wall. There are stylized lines that could be interpreted as symbols of flower or water. This red and black colored wall painting, which is seen in Norsuntepe and Degirmentepe dated to the early phases of Chalcolithic and the palace of Arslantepe belonging to the later period, indicates a regional tradition. During the studies carried out in the north of the 4th millennium Palace (Level VIA), a quite large room with s single partition was exposed. The plan of this room is the same with the plan of temples in the palace. The walls are higher than 2 m. On the short wall of the room, a pair of niche that was plastered in white several times was found. There are red or pinkish lines on some parts of these niches. In the center of the room, a fire spot and a long, shallow platform that is similar to the one in the Temple C were found. No architectural features (such as altar, cult pool, podium etc.) indicating that this room was used as temple were found. Although the function of this room has not yet been clarified, it is possible that the room was used as a reception hall. The southeast corner of the room opens to a narrow area. There is another narrow area next to this area. The large hall is probably connected to the side rooms in the south and the communal area via 3 entrances. This hall is also related to the dwelling area, built on the highest terrace in the north, via a single entrance. The fact that this large hall is connected to both communal and dwelling area of the elites shows that the communal activities and the living area coexisted. Dwellings are also a part of this great complex [Frangipane et al. 2015]. Pottery: Arslantepe VIII: Painted Ubaid pottery was recovered at the depth of 10-12 m from the deep sounding known as "Schaeffer's Sounding" at the center of the mound. Hole mouth vessels and globular bottles were recovered from one of the structures of VIII settlement; western part of the mound (D5). These vessels were thought to be used for bread-making due to the function of the structure. Another group is the small coarse jars and deep bowls decorated with fishbone; diagonal hatching or chevron motifs of incision. The paste is usually grit and chaff tempered; and the exterior surfaces are hatched. Slightly carinated gray burnished vessels and chaff-tempered; buff colored; red diagonal decorated vessels are the minor finds [Frangipane 1994b:217]. Serial production is the most important characteristic of Arslantepe VII Late Chalcolithic Age pottery. Many bowls in various sizes; vessels with flaring rims that were shaped in slow-turning wheel are the typical ware of Arslantepe VII. Various seal impressions observed on these vessels; which are thought to be made out of some social necessity; hint the existence of different craftsmen. There are red incised and pointille decorated sherds as well as sherds of chaff-faced ware. Light or red slipped and burnished; necked jars; jars with tubular necks; carinated beakers were also observed. However; the majority of the finds is the serial-produced bowls. Hatched coarse bowls with string-cut floors are very abundant. These vessels belong to the latest phase of the Local Late Chalcolithic Age Period (VII); which enables the transition from Arslantepe VI A to the first urbanization period influenced by Late Uruk [Frangipane 1991:213;1992:181; 183; 1994a:39; Palmieri 1984:97; 1987:70-71; Trufelli 1994:187-190; 193-195]. Clay: A few clay seals; horned tripods [Frangipane 1991:212; 213] and a chaff-tempered; red slipped clay object; resembling the "hut symbols" of Tepe Gawra; were recovered [Frangipane 1992:183]. Chipped Stone: The raw material used in the Palaeolithic tool industry of the Late Chalcolithic Age settlement of Arslantepe VII is light brown; rough flintstone. Obsidian was also used. However; it is observed that its percentage was never more than %10. 1 / 3 of the finds are broken core pieces; flake / blade pieces; and debitage. A little amount of whole cores was recovered. The rate of the blades to the flakes is 2 / 3. It was observed that their sharp edges were not retouched. Silica sheen and flint use ware were also observed. A little amount of end scrapers; backed flakes; denticulaters; perforators; and chisels were recovered. The majority of the Palaeolithic tool industry products of Settlement VII was found in two spaces with flakes; cores; and debitage. This shows that the tools were local products [Caneva 1993:325]. Ground Stone: Many grinding stones were recovered from the "oven space" of Arslantepe Settlement VIII. A stone seal; with the impression of an animal figure at the center surrounded by horizontal lines; was found [Frangipane 1994b:217]. Grinding stones were also recovered from the space; which was thought as a storage room of Arslantepe VII; besides numerous sherds [Frangipane 1992:183]. Stone beads; used as grave goods; were found in the Late Chalcolithic Age graves [Frangipane 1994b:216]. Bone / Antler: Incised decorated finds; probably used as musical instruments; flat headed awls; spindle-whorls; and bone finds; used as grave goods at the contemporary graves; were recovered from the Late Chalcolithic Age settlement deposit. Metal: Metallurgy is observed to be an advanced craftsman at the Late Chalcolithic Age settlement. A small ring made of silver wire; dating back to the Late Chalcolithic Age; was recovered in a grave. Human Remains: Flexed burials with usually grave goods were found under the floors of houses of Arslantepe VII settlement. Fauna: There are more than 20 species: 7 domestic mammals; 13 wild mammals; 8 ungulates; 4 carnivorouses; 1 gnawing animal; and also bird; turtle; and fish make up the Late Chalcolithic Age animal group. Cattles; sheep; goats; pigs; and dogs are the domestic animals. It is interesting that horse was also domesticated. Wild lions; observed at Norsun Tepe; were few in number. The most hunted animal is the red deer. This is followed by giant deer; wild sheep; wild pig; bear; fallow deer; and Bezoar Goat. In addition; a great amount of frog was observed to be hunted. According to the analysis on bones; sheep and goat were locally domesticated at the Chalcolithic Age and EBA [Bökönyi 1983:581; 1993:343 fig 1; 355]. Flora: A great amount of carbonized grain was found at the floors and beside the furnaces in one of the spaces of Arslantepe VII settlement; which was thought to be used for bread-making [Frangipane 1994b:217]. Other: Necklaces and bracelets made of shell were recovered from the graves of Arslantepe VII Settlement [Frangipane 1994b:216]. A mace head made of plaster is an interesting find.
Remains:
Interpretation and Dating: The earliest settlement of Arslantepe; Arslantepe VIII; is dated to the end of Ubaid Period; the end of the 5th Millennium BC (4300- 4000 BC) by 14C results [Frangipane 1997:213]. Arslantepe VII is dated back to the Late Chalcolithic Age (3700-3500 BC) by 6 calibrated 14C results. It is called Local Late Chalcolithic Period of Arslantepe; which is contemporary with the Early Uruk Period in the chronology of Mesopotamia. Although its raw material sources and production tools were not commercialized; Arslantepe was an important political and economical center [Frangipane 1994a:41; Alessio et al. 1983:578]; in the frame of the contemporary Amuq Plain Phase F; Norsuntepe and Tepecik in Keban Region [Palmieri 1984:97]. It is suggested that the large room (the one dated to Period VIA) exposed in 2012 connects the residential area on top of the mound and the communal area on the slope. Therefore, it is possible to say that the monumental architecture of 4th millennium BC is the prototype of the 3rd millennium BC palaces in the Near East [Frangipane et al. 2014:459].


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