TAY-Site Age Details

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Hakemi Use Tepe
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Type:	Mound
Altitude:	544 m
Region:	Southeastern Anatolia
Province:	Diyarbakir
District:	Bismil
Village:	Tepe
Investigation Method:	Excavation
Period:	Ceramic

Location: The site is located in the township of Tepe in the district of Bismil; province of Diyarbakir. It lies on the right bank of the old bed of the Tigris River.

Geography and Environment: Hakemi Use Tepe consists of two adjacent mounds. The second mound which was partially destructed due to the agriculture is located approximately 200 m east from the first mound named "Hakemi Use I" where the excavations are performed. This settlement which is almost unnoticed due to the cotton plantation above; measures approximately 80 m in diameter. The settlement known as "Hakemi Use II" contains ceramics of Medieval Ages Period above. The inhabitants of this second settlement apparently used the mound of Hakemi Use I as a cemetery [Tekin 2008:1].

History:

Research and Excavation: The site was first visited by G. Algaze and his team; during their survey in the region. The systematic researches began in 2001; by a team under the directorship of H. Tekin from Hacettepe University; during the METU TAÇDAM Salvage Project of the archaeological Heritage of the Ilisu and Carchemish Dam Reservoirs. The 2009 activities started by the team led H. Tekin on July 02, 2009. In 2009 the objective of excavations which continue since 2001 is to open the Late Neolithic layers in this field and to detect the position of the settlement during this period [Tekin 2011: 364]. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Stratigraphy: Because of the destruction on the surface; the information of the uppermost layers is only based on the pottery sherds and graves. According to these finds; the latest phase of Hakemi Use was dated to the Early Iron Age and it was understood that the mound was not occupied after the Neo-Assyrian Period. Beneath this layer; were found monochrome ceramic sherds and burials dating to different stages of the 2nd millennium BC. Underlying these finds; were the Neolithic layers represented by two building levels. No sterile layer was noted between the 2nd millennium BC and Neolithic layers [Tekin 2002]. The cultural layer at the site is approximately 4 m thick. Main layer is dated to Late Neolithic and it contains a deposit of 3.5 m. Virgin soil is reached first at the southern part of the site in 2004 and then in 2005 at the northern part [Tekin 2006:17]. The stratigraphy of Hakemi Use is as below: Period I: 1st millennium BC (Early Iron Age) Period II: 2nd millennium BC (Middle-Late Bronze Age) Period III: Late Neolithic (Pottery Neolithic/Hassuna-Samarra Period) [Tekin 2006:293]. The order of the layers on Hakemi Use Tepe according to the excavation results in 2005 are as follows: Period I: Neo-Assyrian; EIA (1st millenium BC) Period II: Middle Assyrian/Late Bronze Age (2nd Millenium BC) Period III: Late Neolithic/Hassuna-Samarra Period (6th millenium BC) [Tekin 2007:369]. Although the number of phases at the settlement was identified as three; during the soundings on the virgin soil it was observed that the Neo-Assyrian Period walls were situated on top of the Neolithic Period remains. The Late Neolithic Period (Layers 1-5) at Hakemi Use was dated to between Proto-Hassuna Period and the Classic Samarra Period; and ends after 6000 BC [http://cat.une.edu.au/page/hakemi%20use; 29.5.2008; 14:45]. Based on the excavations in 2006 It was found that the main layer at Hakemi Use was dated to the Late Neolithic Period (approximately a layer of 3.5m in width) [Tekin 2008:6]. Virgin soil was accessed at three trenches during 2007 campaign and five of the Neolithic Period levels were identified inside these trenches. Thus, the virgin soil was accessed on an area approximately of 500 m2 and the stratification of Hakemi Use by the Tigris River bank was ascertained. According to this the three main periods from top to bottom are: Period I: Late Assyrian and Early Iron Age Period II: Late Bronze Age (Mid Assyrian Period) Period III: Ceramic Neolithic (Hassuna/Samarra Period) [Tekin 2009:411-412].

Small Finds: Architecture: The architecture of the Neolithic Period is represented by mudbrick walls with either very carefully made or well-dried bricks. No stone foundations belonging to these walls were uncovered. The buildings were rectangular in plan and composed of several rooms with doorways. Outside the houses were hearths built according to an orderly arrangement. Most were circular; and some were horseshoe in shape. All had a floor laid with flat river stones a few centimeters in height; covered with a layer of compacted earth. The sides of some of the hearths were preserved to a height of 50 cm. The discovery of an animal bone on the floor of one of the hearths indicates that its function was for cooking [Tekin 2002]. An oven with 1.3 m diameter is encountered in 2002 at the boundary of Trenches E7 and E8. The base of the oven is covered with small river pebbles and then covered with pressurized soil. Severe fire marks are found in and piles of ashes are found around this furnace. Three more furnaces having the same characteristics are found in Trench E7. These four furnaces that belong to Phase I of Late Neolithic Age reflect the same construction techniques. The only remaining item belonging to Phase II of Late Neolithic Age in Trench E7 is a furnace. This furnace is similar to the Phase I furnaces both in terms of construction technique and formation. A substantial part of a building that is 10.60 m long and constructed in East-West direction and that belongs to Phase I of Late Neolithic Age is unearthed in Trench E8. The walls of this building which extends into Trench E9 have a loose pattern. No other remains of a building are encountered in about 2 m South of this building. The unearthed parts of wall are constructed using pisé technique. The building has a rectangular plan with a width of 2.50 m. Two rooms are unearthed in the North section of this building. Two small niches are found each one on a long wall of the larger room possibly used for storage purposes. The East part of the large adobe wall seen in Trench E8 extends into Trench E9. Two small rooms of the building which extends into the Northern profile of the trench. Remains of a furnace that's 70 cm in diameter are encountered in the room in the North. The Southeast corner of this wall is above a furnace that belongs to Phase II. Three furnaces on the East of this furnace are unearthed having similar characteristics. The furnaces are in the shape of a horseshoe and surrounded by a layer of dense ash. A chin bone of a sheep is captured in the Furnace 3 in the Southeast corner of the trench. Some architectural remains are encountered in Trench E10. The unearthed wall remains that are made with pisé technique belong to buildings having corners. Remains of a small furnace are found in Trench D8 belonging to Phase II of Late Neolithic Age. Grinding stones made of basalt are capture besides it [Tekin 2011: 572-574]. Late Neolithic architectural remains were revealed inside the H8b trench during the 2005 excavations. There are no stone foundations relating to this building which was erected in pisé technique. The Neolithic Age buildings which were seriously destructed by the EBA pits and Assyrian silos; had circular plans. There are circular kilns outside those buildings [Tekin 2007:360] It is found that the architecture of the first layer of the Late Neolithic Age crossed by the Assyrian silos in trench l8b were made of clay; in rectangular plan. Two rooms of a rectangular plan building laying in N-S direction with walls approximately 80 cm wide; built in pisé technique under that; were unearthed. The south wall of this building was destructed by an EIA pit; and the northwest wall was destructed by a Neo-Assyrian Period basic grave. There is half a kiln revealed extending inside the eastern profile of the trench in the south of the building. The round shaped kiln approximately one meter in diameter was pressed under the clay; after paving the top with flat stream stones in an orderly manner. The kiln that was used for cooking food contained a dense laThe kiln that was used for cooking food contained a dense layer of ashes around it [Tekin 2007:361]. The floor of the previously; in 2004 found circular planned building built in pisé technique was revealed in trench E10. But no remains could be found except the three kilns which have the same characteristics with the ones that were previously found [Tekin 2007:362-363]. The researches of 2006 were performed in the north of the mound where previously trenches were made; in parallel to the old bank of Tigris [Tekin 2008:1]. Square planned buildings and massive adobe (pisé) walls were found. Although some contain stoves these stoves were usually located outside [cat.une.edu.au; 29.5.2008; 14:45]. It was observed that a section of the stove belonging to the 1st phase of the Late Neolithic layer which was found in the eastern section of trench E7; continued through the eastern profile of the trench [Tekin 2008:3]. Three rooms of the quadrangular planned building which were connected by 40 cm thick walls which cut each other in right angles were unearthed. But the The remains of a building dating to the Neolithic 3rd Layer within the southern section of trench E7 were found. The walls of the building without a stone foundation named "Building 4" were constructed in pisé technique. But the western walls of the buiding were destructed by the Late Bronze and Late Neolithic 1st layer burial pits [Tekin 2008:4]. The room number 3 in the east of building 4 which was unearthed within trench E7 in the west section of trench E8 was revealed. The floor of the stove that leaned against the northern wall inside the room was constituted by covering the elaborately laid flat pebbles by compacted soil [Tekin 2008:3]. The rectangular building named 'Building 6' that lies in south-north direction found in trench E8 in 2006 and the building called 'Building 7' in the north section of the trench E9 are similar to the other buildings in terms of the construction technique [Tekin 2008.4-5]. Three building remains that belong to Neolithic level 2 were unearthed inside the trench E6 during 2007 excavations. The walls of two of these buildings were built in pisé technique, have similar characteristics, and closer to the south profile. The third building continues inside the north profile. Another building that belongs to level 3 was unearthed below the building that continues in south profile. This building lies in east-west direction and consists of two rooms [Tekin 2009:412]. The important portion of a large size building that belongs to level 4 was unearthed inside trench E7. The entrance of the building that continues inside the north profile of the trench is on the west side. There is a long and thin oval shaped hearth adjacent to the wall on the right side of the entrance. The building has a rectangular plan with walls constructed in pisé technique. The roofs of three of the rooms were later demolished [Tekin 2009:413]. The entire building that belongs to the level 4 was unearthed in the north of the trench E8. The building was built in pisé technique, lies in east-west direction and has a rectangular plan and consists of two rooms. Both rooms contain hearths. The building in the south of trench E7 was unearthed with a room still inside that trench. There is a small hearth in the southeast corner of the east room of this building that belongs to level 5 where three of its rooms were identified in east-west direction. Two building remains were unearthed in the east side of the trench, with portions of the building underneath trench E9. The northeast building consists of two rooms and there is a small door that provides access between rooms. Unlike the building that lies in north-south direction the other building lies in east-west direction and contains three rooms. Both buildings belong to level 5 [Tekin 2009:414]. Four hearths were found in the east of trench E9, which are independent from any of the buildings. Three of the hearths have similar technical characteristics with the previously unearthed ones, but one is different. The bottoms of the hearths unearthed at Hakemi Use were usually paved with flat cobble stones in the size of palms. This hearth on the other hand was covered with large stone plates that measured 20-30 cm in length, approximately 15 cm in width and 10 cm in thickness [Tekin 2009:415]. In 2008 a structure built in dumped mud/pisé technique was unearthed. Hearth remains that partially continue through the profile were identified in the north of the structure [Tekin 2010:38]. Two Late Neolithic period silos immediately below Early Iron Age silos were found in trench G7. Outside surfaces of those silos were elaborately plastered. Siloların kuzeyinde yine aynı döneme ait dökme çamur/pisé tekniğiyle inşa edilen bir yapının odaları ortaya çıkmaya başlamıştır [Tekin 2010:42]. The excavations continued at Neolithic Building Phase 3's base level that were first started in 2008 with trench E6. Two small rooms built with dumped mud/pisé technique were revealed in the west section of the trench [Tekin 2010:43]. In 2009 the other room of the building is opened which has pisé walls constructed without a stone foundation (mud cast) and named as "Building 19" and unearthed in Trench E6 in 2008. Two rooms of another building in front of this building constructed with the same technique are unearthed that belongs to Structure Layer 3. The building is named as "Building 28". Existence of a furnace is discovered about 2 m South of the building. The activities in Trench F6 are finalized at the Structure Layer 3 of Late Neolithic Age [Tekin 2011: 365]. Three new buildings are unearthed in 2009 in the North, South and East parts of Trench F7. The buildings having a certain distance in between belong to the Structure Layer 2 of Late Neolithic Age [Tekin 2011: 365]. The building with three rooms is excavated in 2009 in Trench G9. The building belongs to Structure Layer 3 and named as "Building 27" [Tekin 2011: 366]. In 2009 the architecture that belongs to Structure Layer 2 of Late Neolithic Age and that are associated with the granaries unearthed last year are unearthed. Three more granaries that are opened side by side are encountered in addition to the 3 granaries excavated last year. This collection of granaries is surrounded with a wall constructed with pisé technique (mud cast) without any stone foundation and constructed in East-West axis having a thickness of 50 cm. This looks like the common storage area of the settlement. Adobe brick rows exist in the North of this building on the upper section of the wall made by pisé technique. Using both adobe material and pisé technique in construction of the same wall is seen Hakemi Use excavations previously [Tekin 2011: 367]. Pottery: The Neolithic pottery; which are all handmade; were classified in two main groups as coarse ware and fine ware. The coarse ware are also the earliest examples of this group. These grit and straw tempered vessels are mainly represented by open forms such as plates and trays. Another distinctive feature is their dark colored cores. Sherds of husking trays belonging to 4 different vessels were encountered. The first group of the fine ware consists of monochrome; straw tempered vessels without slip. Some of them have a thin horizontal red band on the rim. The exterior surface of some examples were slightly hand-smoothed. They are yellow and brown in color and mainly include necked jars and deep bowls. The second group is the pottery known as the Dark Faced Burnished Ware in Anatolia. According to the other groups; they have a more qualified clay. They are polished both on the interior and exterior. The third group consists of painted fine vessels. These vessels; which include bowls; deep bowls and short necked jars; are greenish beige in color and hardly fired. The second group of the painted ware are the vessels known as Painted Samarra Ware. Bowls and deep bowls with an "S" or slightly "S" curvature and short necked jars were found. These vessels have orange or beige paste and are hardly fired [Tekin 2003:61;62]. Two structure layers are identified during the studies carried out in 2002. The potteries from these layers also are different. The wares named as "Standard Monochrome" constitute the majority in both phases, while the number of samples found increase deeper down. The vessel forms that are seen among the pottery of the Phase I of Late Neolithic Age made from thinner paste and with a more delicate technique suggest a more developed technology. Sharp outlines are seen in Phase I while smooth and round outlines dominate Phase II. Manifested differences are also seen in the paste of vessels. In Phase I the rate of organic additives decrease while the rate of mica granules increase and the size of the grits reduce. The pottery baking quality is better in Phase I. Most of the potteries are dark cored in Phase II. Phase I of Late Neolithic Age potteries are gathered in four main groups such as: washed ceramic, standard slip decorated ceramic, imprint decorated ceramic, and Samarran type ceramic. Phase II potteries are also gathered in four main groups, such as: red banded ceramic, standard painted ceramic, archaic painted ceramic and standard monochrome ceramic [Tekin 2011: 576-580]. Small size vessels were revealed inside two basic Late Neolithic soil graves in the H8b trench during the excavations in 2005. The vessels left in the graves are mono color and have coarse workmanship [Tekin 2007:360]. There is a small size dark grey vessel in the form of a vase inside the grave in trench l8b [Tekin 2007:361]. There are three vessels found in situ among the weak sherds in trench J8b. Two of the vessels have feet the third one is in the form of a vase and its neck is missing. The footed vessels left as burial gifts were found for the fist time in Hakemi Use. There are four feet in the shape of animal legs under the middle size deep dishes. One of them is coated in red. Two of them have thin rim bands painted with bitumen paint. The footed ware rarely seen in Near Eastern Neolithic seem only to be specific to Hakemi Use [Tekin 2007:362]. The Hassuna/Samarra pottery which is widely available in Middle and Northern Iraq were found in large amounts in the five layers representing the Late Neolithic Age. The presence of the Hassuna/Samarra pottery in Turkish soil was observed with suspicion in the scientific community. Following the finds in Hakemi Use those doubts ceased to exist. The main group of Late Neolithic Age pottery consists of mono color vessels. Among those there are uncoated ware; left in the same color as their paste; as well as red or brown coated ware. The paste of those vessels contain dense organical material; and due to the poor cooking their colors are mainly in dark tones [Tekin 2007:363-364]. Another group among the Late Neolithic Age pottery is the Dark Faced Burnished Ware. Those vessels mostly specific to Northern Syria; Amic and Cylician Late Neolithic are also seen inside five layers of Hakemi Use. There are dark cherry color coated samples besides the dark grey coated ones [Tekin 2007:364]. The Samarra type samples revealed among the pottery of Late Neolithic Age in Hakemi Use have a distinctive place. Those vessels which are usually seen in Mesopotamian settlements exist both in "Northern" and "Classical" types at Hakemi Use.Those vessels having ornamentations in red and brown colors on a light color base; are seen after Layer 2 [Tekin 2007:364]. Another vessel type which shows the connection of Hakemi Use with the Syrian and Cylician Neolithic is the Impressed ve Incised Ware. Those vessels only seen in Layer 1; and 2 which are a very small amount; must be brought to the settlement from an external source [Tekin 2007:364]. The Late Neolithic Age Pottery of Hakemi Use consists of the following 6 main group of ware: 1. Standard Monochrome Ware 2. Standard painted Ware 3. Fine Ware 4. Ger-Black Ware 5. Dark Faced Burnished Ware 6. Orange Fine Ware [Tekin 2007:364] The ceramic finds during the researches of 2006 consisted of Dark Colored Burnished Ceramics (DCBC) (11%); Fine Ware (4%); Orange Colored Fine Ware (11%) and standard vessels with crushed shell tempered clay (70%). Approximately 3% of these consist of earthenware in Clasic-Samarra type. Red colored zigzag decorated Hassuna type Paint Decorated Vessels are of high quality and do not contain crushed shells. Among the DCBC ware there are also decoration burnished fragments. A large amount of shells were added inside the clay of the standard vessels. Among these the presence of examples containing incised and impressed decorations which could be related with Syrie is observed. Additionally the open shapes and trays are among the often observed types of vessels. The trays made for sorting are 40-70 cm long and they have the most common type; which can even be observed in the Far Western location of Ras Shamra. Those probably were used for baking bread and according to the ethnographical examples they were put directly on fire. The DCBC and Samarra ceramics were only observed within Neolithic Period layers [cat.une.edu.au; 29.5.2008; 14:45]. A vessel that was left inside an adult individual's grave found inside trench E6 during 2007 campaign particularly attracts the attention both through its type and the repair marks. The vessel classified as archaic Hassuna painted type, was once broken into two pieces but perforations were made by a drill and repaired using a string. This type of repair hole is observed on many sherds at Hakemi Use excavations. Its intensity particularly among the painted vessels are valuable to show that these vessels were important for Hakemi Use inhabitants [Tekin 2009:412]. Two vessels were found shattered in pieces inside the level 5 at trench E9 and these were reconstructed using plaster of Paris. One of these is basic monochromatic bowl the other is standard Hassuna painted type. This vessel has repair holes and red decoration lines on it [Tekin 2009:415]. A building with 3 rooms is unearthed in 2009 in Structure Layer 3 of Trench G6 which is named as "Building 27" [Tekin 2011: 366]. Architectural remains connected with granaries unearthed last year in Trench G7 that belong to Structure Layer 2 of Late Neolithic Age appeared in excavations of 2009. 3 more granaries are encountered on top of the 3 granaries unearthed last year. This collection of granaries is surrounded with a wall constructed with pisé technique (mud cast) without stone foundation and constructed in East-West axis having a thickness of 50 cm. An adobe brick rows exist in the North of this building on the upper section of the wall made by pisé technique. Use of both adobe material and pisé technique in construction of same wall is seen Hakemi Use excavations previously [Tekin 2011: 367]. In 2009 a 12.5 cm tall jar made of baked soil is found in the simple grave M-386 which is among Late Neolithic Graves found in Trench F7. Bitumen is coated the rim and on the neck -as a horizontal band- and on the body -as a spot- of the pot which is made with dark-beige paste with a sloppy technique. An intact pot is found in Grave 336. The pot is made very delicately and it is 17.3 cm high and 19.7 cm wide. The top of the pot is light red and slightly burnished [Tekin 2011: 366]. Pieces of a large vessel are found in 2009 in the middle of Trench G6 on the basement which do not possibly complete the pot. Pieces of a vessel are found in Room 1 of Building 27 that fit to complete the vessel. Upper part of a vessel with the in situ neck is found in Room 3 as well as half a bowl [Tekin 2011: 366]. A necked pot is captured in 2009 in Grave 328 of Trench G7. This is a vase 18.6 cm tall and 12.8 cm wide and it has a round bottom. No decorations are found on the pot made by of dark-beige paste [Tekin 2011: 366]. Clay: In 2002 in Trench E10 human figurines are captured made of clay [Tekin 2011: 574]. In the second building level; were found broken and discarded human and animal figurines made of baked clay. Two clay spindl whorls were found in the palm of the skeleton which was found below the building basin that belongs to level inside the trench E7 in 2007 campaign [Tekin 2009:413]. Among the small artifacts revealed inside this trench the clay seal is particularly intriguing. It bears a perforated handle for attaching a string and a geometric impression surface. Similar specimens were found in Central Anatolian Neolithic Age settlements particularly inside Çatal Höyük excavations. These are similar to "pinthaderas" used for painting human bodies or fabric. Another important artifact is the 4 cmlong clay human figure. Similar specimens of the female figurine that wears a long hat that leans back was observed at Tell Sabi Abyad in North Syrie [Tekin 2009:414]. In 2008 18 clay figurine fragments were revealed inside trench F7 açmasında along with material identified as garbage. Those figurines follow a certain artistic style and represent a woman. Some of these small figurines idol type [Tekin 2010:40]. Two Late Neolithic Age clay women's figurines were revealed inside trench G7. Those figurines also bore certain artistic styles and the head part of one of those and the bottom part of the other were missing. Additionally two terra cotta ear plugs, two terra cotta spindl whorls and two clay labrets are among the finds [Tekin 2010:42-43]. In 2009 a piece of a figurine and labret made of clay are found in Structure Layer 2 below the building below Structure Layer 1 of Late Neolithic Age in Trench T6 [Tekin 2011: 364]. 12 pieces of figurines made of clay are unearthed in the embankment of Structure Layer 2 of Trench F7 in 2009. And 17 clay tokens (memory stamps) and 2 pieces of clay with imprints are captured [Tekin 2011: 365]. 2 labrets, tokens made of stones and clay, beads, burnishing and hand stones are found in 2009 in the 3 roomed space that is named in "Building 27" in Trench G6 [Tekin 2011: 366]. Cord and seal imprinted cretulae are captured in Trench G7 in 2009 [Tekin 2011: 367]. Chipped Stone: 90% of the chipped stone tools consists of obsidian blades. There are many rich flintstone resources in the Bismil region where Hakemi Use also is situated at. Since those resources are often under the threat of erosion they can only be found at scattered locations. Obsidian is mostly black; and there are rarely greenish color tones among grey and black colors inside one specific raw material; and there are samples in tones of grey color as well. But there is not an obsidian resource as near to Hakemi Use as the flintstone resources. Even the nearest resource is 120 km away; therefore an efficient resource management was not the case here [Tekin 2007:365-366]. 95.6 % of the blades of different sizes show single sided chipping. It is highly probable that those blades usually consisting of the mesial plane were used as sickles [Tekin 2007:366-367]. In 2006 90% of chipped stone examples consisted of obsidians; and 10% of flintstones. There is no proof that obsidian was worked inside the settlement [cat.une.edu.au; 29.5.2008; 14:45]. During 2007 excavations a large amount of obsidian and flintstone tools and tool fragments were found inside trench E9 in addition to an obsidian core. The fact that an obsidian core was found for the first time proves that at least some of the obsidian tools were produced at the settlement [Tekin 2009:415]. In 2009 6 pieces of flint stone and 6 pieces of obsidian blades are captured in the soil embankment that belongs to Structure Layer 2 below the architecture of Structure Layer 1 of Trench F6 which is unearthed during recent years [Tekin 2011: 365]. Ground Stone: A stone seal stamp is captured in 2002 in Trench E10 [Tekin 2011: 574].Grinding stones and a nail was found. Among the finds revealed during the researches in 2006; the presence of square shaped items; deep bowls and hand-mills made of chipped stone are observed. Punctured stones (made of local marble) that could be used as loom weight and triangular stone cups are also observed. These exaples were burnt in general and these could be used as lanterns. Additionally "stamping seals" were found [cat.une.edu.au; 29.5.2008; 14:45]. There is a large size stone seal among the 2007 small articrafts revealed in trench E8 during 2007 campaign. It was highly worn due to intense utilization. It also has a perforated handle for string attachment. Deep geometric decorations were chiseled on the rectangular impression surface of the seal [Tekin 2009:414]. Human Remains: Four simple graves are found in 2002 that belong to the Phase I of Late Neolithic Age in Trench E7. The graves are not positioned in a regular way. Vessel bases with missing upper parts and intact vessels are located near the skeletons as grave goods. In one grave 2 small limestone beads are captured. Five simple soil graves are encountered in Trench E8 from Late Neolithic Age. The graves are not positioned in a regular way. A Late Neolithic grave is found in Trench E10. Two simple soil graves are encountered in Trench D8 from Late Neolithic Age. An obsidian blade is found in one of these graves on the neck of a skeleton upright to the body which belongs to a child buried in hocker position [Tekin 2011: 572-574]. In the first building level; were encountered simple burials of both adults and children beneath the floors. The burials were generally placed in the hocker position. Monochrome; mostly red slipped and burnished vessels were left as burial goods. The Late Neolithic Period hoards revealed during the researches in 2006 contained skelettons; arms and legs drawn towards the chest; and all four had the skulls reshaped and elongated. Although the analysis of the skelettons was not completed the teeth were in excellent condition and did not bear the traces of wear deriving from the consumption of cereals [cat.une.edu.au; 29.5.2008; 14:45]. The hocker type burried skeletons within the Late Neolithic Layer 1 do not possess a unity in the sense of burial direction [Tekin 2008:3]. A burial was unearthed inside the building level 2 at trench E6 during 2007 campaign. It is a basic ground burial that contains the skeleton of an adult which is in bad condition [Tekin 2009:412]. Two adults' burial were unearthed underneath the basin of a large building at level 4 inside trench E7. The 50 years old man's skeleton was found laid on its left side in hocker position, the 55 years old female's skeleton was found hugging him in his back. Another female skeleton that belonged to a 50 year old woman was found buried inside virgin soil underneath a building in level 5 found partially at trench E8 in the south of the profile [Tekin 2009:413]. In 2008 burial gifts were yielded inside three out of four graves below the base at Late Neolithic Structure Level 1 inside trench F6. An obsidian blade was found besides the skeleton inside the grave enumerated as M-278. Although its age was not identified the dead belonged to a person 30-40 years of age and it was buried in hocker position. Out of the two other burials a necklace composed of approximately 640 beads was identified around the neck of an adult woman inside burial M-285 buried in hocker form. A handmade shallow dish was found 40 cm from the skeleton's head. The dish was coated with red coating inside and out, and decorated inside with a large cross painted with pitch/bitumen. In grave # M-294 there were tiny remains from a newly born baby's skull. A handmade large jar was found in pieces immediately above the skull. [Tekin 2010:37-38]. Out of 12 Late Neolithic graves found inside trench F7 the most remarkable one is grave # M-302. It was not possible identifying the gender of the adult human being but the person buried in east-west direction had a lump of clay aligned with the foot. The lump of clay was formed by pressing inside the palm of a hand and its shape is similar to a meatball [Tekin 2010:39]. Trench G6 contained three G7 contained two Late Neolithic graves [Tekin 2010:41-42]. A simple soil grave is unearthed in 2009 near the furnace in the Northeast corner of the room on the East side of "Building 19" in Trench F6. This grave is below the base of the building and buried in hocker position. The grave belongs to a young adult and no archaeological artefacts are found in it. A flint stone flake is found in the foot side of the skeleton which is believed to be dropped during the burial process instead of being placed as a grave good. A second grave is encountered under the base while the excavation is moving deeper in "Building 19". A baked vessel in the form of a drinking glass, a bead and a burnishing stone is captured in the grave placed as gifts to the dead [Tekin 2011: 365]. 6 graves are opened in 2009 in Trench F7. 3 of the graves belong to Late Assyrian Period and 3 of them belong to Late Neolithic Age [Tekin 2011: 366]. A skeleton that belongs to a child is unearthed in 2009 in a grave of Trench G6 which extends into the East profile. A simple soil grave belonging to a young adult is encountered under the base of Structure Layer 1. 7 graves are opened in and around the structure named as "Building 17" [Tekin 2011: 366]. In 2009 7 graves are unearthed in Trench G7 from Late Neolithic Age [Tekin 2011: 366]. Bones/Horns: Awls made of small farm animal bones found inside the trench J8b made during the excavations in 2005; suggest the presence of leather workmanship in the region [Tekin 2007:362]. Two bone awls were found inside the palm of a skeleton underneath the building found in level 5 in the south profile of trench E7 during 2007 campaign [Tekin 2009:413]. 7 bone awl pieces are captured in 2009 among the embankment of Structure Layer 2 under the architecture of Late Neolithic Structure Layer 1 excavated during previous years in Trench F6 [Tekin 2011: 365]. A bone awl is captured in 2009 within "Building 27" [Tekin 2011: 366]. Miscellaneous: Among the small finds revealed within the trench E9 during the excavations in 2006 the mace head is particularly important. The mace head was made of a white marble with red veigns and contains a vertical hole in the center. Additionally a small lantern made of limestone is particularly important among the Late Neolithic finds [Tekin 2008:5].A mussel shell was found with ferrum dioxide inside, in the palm of a skeleton underneath the building found in level 5 in the south profile of trench E7 during 2007 campaign [Tekin 2009:413]. In 2008 a limestone mace head and a marble mace head were found inside trench F7. The mace head was elaborately worked and contained lumps placed at equal distances from each other [Tekin 2010:40].

Remains:

Interpretation and Dating: Although the virgin soil was not reached in this Pottery Neolithic settlement with two building levels; it is reported that the site is a significant representative of the Pottery Neolithic Period in the Upper Tigris Valley. According to the determination of the Proto-Hassuna; Hassuna and Samarra cultures; it is suggested that these cultures that are generally seen in Northern Iraq also existed to the north of Tigris. It is believed that Hakemi Use; which is the only Late Neolithic site being excavated in the Upper Tigris Valley; will yield important data both for Anatolian and Near Eastern archaeology. Thus 2003- 2004 excavations at Hakemi Use have proved this by the uncovered material; Hakemi Use now seems to form the northernmost border of Hassuna/Samarra Ware in the Near East. This new discovery establishes that Hassuna/Samarra Ware is also found on the southern skirt of the Taurus mountains in the inner parts of Turkey [Tekin 2005]. The archaeological finds that were unearthed following the 2005 excavations suggest the presence of a short term inhabitance in the settlement during the Late Neolithic Age (approximately 150-200 years). Since no radiocarbon analysis yet took place the dating method depends on the archaeological finds. It is possible to date the Hakemi Use Hassuna/Samarra settlement to 6100-5950/5900 BC under the light of the finds [Tekin 2007:368-369]. The Ôincised decorated'; Ôimpressed decorated' and the Ôbitumen decorated' vessel fragments taken into consideration within the ÔStandart Ware' which was found inside the Layer 1 in the Late Neolithic Phase in 2006 is characteristic to this period and are archaeological finds proving the relationship between Hakemi Use and Northern Syrie [Tekin 2008:3]. As a result of the excavations in 2006 a village settlement with an agricultural economy was revealed at Hakemi Use. Hakemi Use was also the first and the only Hassuna/Samarra settlement which was excavated within the borders of Turkey. The settlement constitutes the northern border of Asia Minor where the Hassuna/Samarra pottery was produced [Tekin 2008:6]. As of the end of the 2007 campaign we may mention the following on the hearths that were revealed up to now at Hakemi Use: The hearths are located adjacent to the wall on one corner inside the rooms or outside the houses. Three hearth construction techniques are observed. In general the near circular formed hearths have basins paved with flat stones 20-30 cm in length or flat stones collected from river banks or plain rubble stones [Tekin 2009:415]. Application of layers of pitch/bitumen is common at Hakemi Use. It was clear that the source of pitch/bitumen was Eruh's petroleum oozing lands. This material was mostly used as a band around the rim of the vessels in monocolor and without coating, and sometimes as a simple line for decoration on the vessel surfaces [Tekin 2010:38]. Lump of clay specimens found at trench F7 in 2008 were often seen at prehistorical excavations performed in Mesopotamia. That type of clay objects were some sort of receipt for the incoming and outgoing ware to and from commonly used areas[Tekin 2010:40]. During the 2009 activities it is understood that the granaries which are unearthed in Trench G7 are the common property of the society. No evidences of social status or prestige are detected among the building and archaeological findings unearthed. This confirms the understanding of previous years. The baked monochrome earth wares found in the graves and especially in Structure Layers 1 and 2 of Late Neolithic Age which have similar characteristics [Tekin 2011: 367-368]. The studies carried out on the chipped stone industry of Late Neolithic period (6100-5900 BC) indicate that the chipped stone industry of Hakemi Use haven't changed in time. It is believed that the obsidian was obtained from East Anatolia and it was brought to the settlement as final product after being knapped in the source. The fact that the minute amount of obsidian cores and the lack of rejuvanation and preparation flakes or blades supports this idea. Apart from some instances, it is possible to say that the flakes were made from flintstone and the blades were mainly produced from obsidian. As it was stated before, the obsidian blades were brought to the settlement as final products. However, tools made out of these blades were produced in the settlement. It is observed that especially the quite large blades were reduced in side-blow technique [Kartal 2013].

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