|
©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tepecik / Makaraz Tepe |
|
|
For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
|
Type:
|
Mound |
|
Altitude:
|
890 m |
|
Region:
|
Eastern Anatolia |
|
Province:
|
Elazig |
|
District:
|
Merkez |
|
Village:
|
Tepecik |
|
Investigation Method:
|
Excavation |
|
Period:
|
Ceramic |
|
|
|
  |
|
| Location: This site lies approximately 31 km east of the city of Elazig; immediately southwest of the village of Altinova; now flooded by the Keban Dam Lake. The survey code of the site is O 54 / 2. |
| Geography and Environment: Tepecik Höyük; which lies southeast of Altinova is also known as Makaraz Tepe. In many publications; the site is referred to as Tepecik. It is a middle-sized terraced mound; 16-17 m high; with a 200 m diameter. Heringet Stream is believed to have meandered by the mound. Before the land was flooded by the dam lake; this stream fed the Altinova Plain (also known as Ulu Ova). The spring southeast of the site must have supplied the inhabitants of the site with water. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was re-documented under code no. 054-2 during a survey conducted as a part of the Keban Project under R. Whallon and S. Kantman in 1967. The systematic surface collection yielded material of the Chalcolithic Age; the EBA; the second millennium BC; the Iron Age and the Middle Age [Whallon 1979:182-187; fig.81-85]. Excavations were conducted by U. Esin from the University of Istanbul between 1968-74 for 7 seasons until it was inundated. Although Tepecik provided considerable information for Anatolian Archaeology; it vanished before leaving some questions unanswered; like many other sites that were inundated. |
| Stratigraphy: The site of Tepecik is believed to have been inhabited from the Late Neolithic Period to the end of the Iron Age. In the Middle Ages; on the other hand; the site was used as a cemetery. Neolithic layers were found in the eastern part of the mound; in the bottom part of Trench 8 0. This trench which was 5x5 m in the upper levels was continued as a 2x2 m deep sounding in the lower levels. The layers beneath Layer 25 of this trench yielded Dark Burnished Ware; while Layer 26 also yielded Fine Black Burnished Ware; similar to that found at the site of Tarsus Gözlükule; and Light-Colored Sand-Tempered Ware. In addition; Amuq and B Dark Burnished Ware and Impressed Decorated Ware is common. Virgin soil lies beneath these layers. |
| Small Finds: Pottery: The lowest levels of Tepecik Höyük yielded Elazig type Dark Burnished Ware and Decorated Ware. Fauna: From the Neolithic on; the inhabitants of the site had domesticated dog; sheep; goat; cattle and pig. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: It has been determined that the lowest levels of Tepecik; as excavated in Trench 8 O; are Late Neolithic in date. The lowest level yielded rounded and worn sherds. It has been determined that the Neolithic habitation is southeast of the modern site and that only the sloping edges of the adjacent mound was excavated. This explains why no architectural features were found. The Pleistocene lake in the low-lying Altinova Plain partially dried in the Holocene and opened up fertile land for agriculture. People settled at sites like Tepecik; close to fresh-water springs. The site attracted people in later periods as well. |
