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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Zeytinlibahçe Höyük |
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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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490 m |
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Region:
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Southeastern Anatolia |
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Province:
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Sanliurfa |
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District:
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Birecik |
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Village:
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Mezraa |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Late |
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| Location: The mound lies west of Sanliurfa; 3 km south of Birecik; 1.4 km north of Mezraa village. |
| Geography and Environment: It is a conical and ovoid mound with an approximate height of 31 m [Deveci-Mergen 1999b:fig.2]. It measures 190 m in north-south; 140 m in east-west directions. The site covers an area of about 2.6 hectares and it is about 340 m above sea level. The site is located in the middle of fields and to the north of it there is a road running parallel to Euphrates. The foots of the settlement were cut for agriculture. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The site was discovered by G. Algaze. In 1998; it was researched by A. Deveci and Y. Mergen [Mergen-Deveci 1999b:113]. In 1999 and 2000; during the Salvage Project of the Archaeological Heritage of the Ilisu and Carchemish Dam Reservoirs coordinated by METU TAÇDAM; the site was excavated by a team under the direction of M. Frangipane. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: Finds indicating a settlement beginning from the Late Chalcolithic and continuing until the Medieval periods were encountered and it was suggested that the mound was settled from 3500 BC to the 13th century AD. It contained a long sequence from the 4th to the 2nd millennium BC, with three major periods: Late Chalcolithic (with Middle Uruk arrivals), late Early Bronze and an early Middle Bronze fortified citadel. There were also Roman/Byzantine remains and surveys of the site revealed Halaf and Iron Age occupation [http://cat.une.edu.au/page/zeytinli%20bahce%20hoyuk, 10.11.2009, 15:14]. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: During the 2000 season; two new levels were recovered from square B 8. The upper area above these two levels; which were probably open areas by the side of a house; was divided into two zones by a thin irregular mud wall or low partition. The zone to the south with well plastered floors was relaid several times and includes a circular fire place; and in the other zone a small horse-shoe shaped hearth or furnace was found. A part of another small oven or basin was also encountered adjacent to the northern excavation wall [Frangipane et al. 2002:85]. Area B8, where an open area and street dating from the later (Uruk) phases of the Late Chalcolithic were excavated in 2004. In 2007, housing and a large oven from the Late Chalcolithic 3 phase was excavated. Dating from 3600/3800 BC, these deposits were on bedrock and virgin soil [http://cat.une.edu.au/page/zeytinli%20bahce%20hoyuk, 10.11.2009, 15:14]. The structure unearthed in 2001 in the Drill B8 is removed in 2008. This is a massive structure 1 by 1.25 m in size, made of small rectangular adobe bricks which contained cells placed regularly. The age of the structure cannot be determined since no artefacts are found inside, however the structure presents strong similarities with a structure from Uruk Period excavated in Sheikh Hassan. The layers below also confirm this possible date. A cell-planned structure sits above various embankment layers which destruct the remains of a structure that have quite thin walls made of adobe bricks and pise. Two adjacent rooms and partially preserved outdoor spaces in the North and South are left from this building. In this outdoor space a pebble paved road which connects to the entrance of the house as well remains of a furnace is located. The entrance of the house is closed during the last phase of usage. Three construction phase as well as some modifications are observed in this house [Frangipane et al. 2011: 1-2] Pottery: Bevelled rim bowls; band rim and lenge rim wheel-made bowls which were reproduced in EBA I are the finds that mark the transition between the end of Late Uruk and the beginning of EBA I. In addition to the rare findings of the bevelled rim bowls; small-necked jars with a simple rim; and deep bowls with an out flared rim; both in plain simple ware; were also encountered. The pottery in 2007 is of local Late Chalcolithic types known from Leilan [http://cat.une.edu.au/page/zeytinli%20bahce%20hoyuk, 10.11.2009, 15:14]. Among the findings of 2002 in Drill B8 is characteristic middle Uruk Style potteries and lime tone eye idol and spouted conical bowls which are typical for this period [Frangipane et al. 2011: 2]. Ground Stone: During the 2002 season; a limestone eye idol representing the Middle Uruk Period was found [Di Nocera 2002]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: |
