TAY-Site Age Details

^©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project

Can Hasan 1
For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...	For photographs please click on the photo...

Type:	Mound
Altitude:	1140 m
Region:	Central Anatolia
Province:	Karaman
District:	Merkez
Village:	Alaçati
Investigation Method:	Excavation
Period:	Late Middle Early

Location: It lies about 750 m southeast of Can Hasan III; 12 km northwest of the province of Karaman.

Geography and Environment: The mounds Can Hasan I and III; which are at a close distance to the foothills of the Taurus and take place in a fertile plain; are prehistoric settlements. Can Hasan II is dated to the later periods [French 1962b:27]. Mound no I of can Hasan; which is known as Canasun in Kiepert and later as Canason; measures 360x280x5 m [French 1962a:36].

History:

Research and Excavation: Can Hasan is reported in the publications by K. Kökten. It was visited by J. Mellaart; A. Hall; and D. French during the Konya Plain Survey in 1951-52 and 1958. In 1962-67; an excavation was conducted by D. French for the British Archaeology Institute [French 1962b:27]. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Stratigraphy: According to the results of the excavations; 8 levels were revealed. The first level dates to the Late Chalcolithic Age; Phase 2A of the second level with two phases dates to the Middle Chalcolithic Age; Phase 2B dates to the Transition Period of Early Chalcolithic and Middle Chalcolithic Age. The third level belongs to the Early Chalcolithic Age; Levels 4-7 date to the Late Neolithic Age. It is reported that the first level is damaged by many Iron Age pits; and there are Iron Age; Roman; and Byzantine remains [French 1963:36-37; 1965a:27; 1967a:145; 148; Harmankaya et al. 1997:Can Hasan I].

Small Finds: Architecture: The Late Chalcolithic Age settlement of Can Hasan; consisting of 6 building phases is different from the Early Chalcolithic Age settlement in architecture and settlement planning. The orientation; plan; thickness of the walls; and dimensions of the bricks are different from the earlier periods. Walls are thin; mud-bricks are small; stone-foundation or wood is not used. The buildings repeat themselves; renovations and addition of new walls are observed. New walls were built in the same direction on top of the older walls or just near them. The first level's buildings spread out irregularly on the plain when compared to the earlier buildings. There are courtyards and open areas between the structures. Hearths; honeycomb walls; and small precincts were built in open areas and courtyards. There are no traces to show whether the buildings had a second storey or not. The walls were usually plastered with white clay [French 1964a:21; 1965a:28; 1965b:88]. Middle Chalcolithic Age 2A architecture of Can Hasan was excavated in a limited area. The walls of a structure could remain approximately to a height of 1 m. They were mud plastered; supported with posts; and renovated at least five times. Besides the structural remains; animal bones; waste consisting of tools and flora display the features of the Middle Chalcolithic Age settlement. The usage of one of Level 2B houses; that was damaged by a fire; continues in 2A. The main difference of the building tradition of 2A and 2B is that stone foundation is used in 2A. In addition; dimensions of the mud-bricks are smaller in 2B [French 1963:34; 1964a:21; 1965a:29; 1967a:145; 1967b:169; 1968a:89; 1968b:45]. Early Chalcolithic Level 2B architecture is rather regular compared to the Late Chalcolithic Age. Mud-brick walls without stone-foundations are built up directly on earth. The structures were built side by side without leaving any space between them. Consolidation; wooden supports; and bastions are the typical features of building techniques. It is observed that the buildings were two-storied; and the second floor's walls were thinner than the first floor's. Building elements like door openings are existent for internal passages between platforms and spaces. Floors are made of compact clay. One floor is observed to be paved with pebbles. Simple; geometrical decorated painted plaster pieces; recovered in the space deposit; on the floor; are observed to have come from the upper levels due to their lying position. A thin level of gray or light blue whitewash on white plaster was revealed in one of the rooms of a building (No:3). Red paint on white plaster was used on the walls and on the floor of another building (No:9). At another building (No:7); 100 sheep jaws and 30 frog skeletons were found at the partition between the south wall and the bastion. There were fire traces in 2B [French 1962a:36; 1962b:30-31; 1963:35; 1964a:21-22; 1965a:29; 1967a:145; 1968a:90]. A well preserved structure at the third level; which constitutes the oldest level of the Chalcolithic Age; was revealed just below a building of 2B. This building; at 2B; is observed to be raised on the walls of the third level structure. The third level structure is big; has perpendicular corners; bastions; a floor; and red clay plastered walls. The thickness of its walls is approximately 80 cm [French 1966:120; 1967a:145; 1968a:90]. Pottery: The typical group of the Late Chalcolithic Age pottery is the red; red-brown; and black burnished ware. Although less in number; the scraped; white paint decorated; red or brown painted sherds make up the other groups. A small amount of incised and grooved sherds were also found. Forms are carinated jars with narrow rims; short flat necks; carinated bowls with open rims; flat sides; plates and cooking vessels. The top of the rounded handles are sharp or antler-shaped [French 1963:30; 1964a:21; 1964b:126; 1965a:28]. Polychrome wares of black or brown decorations over crème or buff surface; and red paint are the painted wares of 2A. Forms are usually jars with round bellies and simple shallow bowls. Gray or buff burnished ware is usually represented by bowls. Some of them are incised. Light brown and buff painted plain ware is dominant. Coarse ware is very rare. Although less in number; potsherds of the ware with red or pink paint-slip on both faces and light burnished monochrome ware are also existent. Imports of Mersin and Çukurova are very interesting [French 1963:34; 1964a:21; 1965a:29; 1965b:90; 1966:116; 1967a:148]. Little amount of restorable vessels could be found at 2B. Imports of Mersin (XXIII - XX) are also existent at this level. Painted ware is the dominant group; while white incrustated ware and plain burnished ware make up the minor groups [French 1964a:22]. Not many sherds could be recovered from the third level. Sherds of plain burnished ware are more in number than the painted ones. Plain ware is light brown or brown colored; while the painted ware is red or brown or light red over thick white slip. Forms are the continuation of the LNA forms and the predecessor of 2B. Close types of jars and deep bowls; and shallow carinated bowls with narrow rims are existent [French 1967b:173; 1968a:90; 1968b:48]. Clay: There are one or two handled podstands with antlers; discs; sling stones; rings; human and animal figurines among the clay finds recovered from the buildings and courtyards of the Late Chalcolithic Age level [French 1964a:21; 1965a:28; 1965b:89; 1966:115]. Human-shaped potstand pieces; animal figurines; a small body of a figurine; discs; sling tones; and spoons were recovered from the 2A settlement. Most of the potstands; lids; and figurines are observed to be made of unfired clay [French 1965a:29; 1968a:89]. Many clay figurines were recovered from one of the burnt structures (House 3) in 2B level as well as a clay spindle-whorl; sling stones; stoppers; and animal figurines. Some of the women figurines in various sizes are flat and schematic; but the eyes; ears; nose; and chin were clearly depicted. Plain or painted ones are existent. Another group was depicted in crouching or sitting position. Their necks are high and details are observed to be shown besides the chin. They are all painted [French 1964a:22; 1968a:90]. A potstand; human and animal figurine pieces were recovered from the third level dating back to the beginning of the Early Chalcolithic Age. Finds are observed to be limited at this level [French 1968a:91]. Chipped Stone: A little amount of obsidian flakes; small flakes; and blades were recovered from the Late Chalcolithic Age settlement [French 1963:30; 1965a:28]. Pieces of blades and flakes were found at 2A [French 1965a:29]. Careless work is observed in flintstone and obsidian tools of 2B [French 1962a:37; 1963:35-36]. Blades and flakes made of obsidian were recovered from the third level. A retouched piece is thought to be used as a perforator [French 1966:120; 1967b:173]. Ground Stone: Grinding stones; mortars; pestles; polishing stones; and stone vessels were recovered from the Late Chalcolithic Age settlement. A figurine made of marble was also found. It is observed to be burnished with care; and some details are shown with incised scratches [French 1964a:21; 1965a:28]. Polychrome stone vessels; stone and shell beads; axes; marble bracelets; and grinding stones were recovered from the 2A level [French 1964a:21; 1965a:29; 1966:116]. Grinding stones; mortar; pestles; shallow bowls; spouted vessels; marble bracelets; and stopper were recovered from the 2B structures [French 1962b:32; 1963:35; 1968a:90]. The ground stone finds of the third level consist of pestles; grinding stones; and beads [French 1967b:173; 1968b:48]. Bone / Antler: Although less in number; spatula; spoon; point; axe rod-handles make up the bone finds of the Late Chalcolithic Age settlement [ French 1964a:21; 1965a:28]. Bone finds like axe rod-handles made of antler; hammers; awl; spatula; bone hook; palettes; and points were recovered from the 2A settlement. One of the spatulas are decorated with geometric motifs [French 1963:34; 1965a:29; 1968a:89; 1968b:46]. Besides the bone points; awl; belt buckle; and a piece of lug; a necklace made of little bone beads were found on the floor of a building at 2B [French 1962b:33; 1963:36; 1968a:90]. Bone points; antlers used as rod-handle; and a point handle made of tooth were recovered from the third level [French 1968a:91]. Metal: A piece of copper; and traces of copper / bronze observed on earth hint the existence of usage of metal at 2A [French 1963:34; 1968a:89]. A mace head made of copper; a bracelet made of copper or bronze found on the arm of a skeleton; and a piece of copper were recovered from 2B [French 1962a:37; 1964a:22; 1967b:173]. Human Remains: A skeleton of a child; and a pit grave of a child and an adult were found at 2A [French 1968a:90]. A skeleton from a room of House 3 at 2B was observed to be damaged by fallen rocks [French 1964a:22]. 12 child skeletons with whole vessels or potsherds all around them were recovered from the third level [French 1968a:91]. Fauna: Sheep; goat; cattle; pig; and horse skeletons were found at the Late Chalcolithic Age levels. They are thought to be domesticated. In addition; bones of deer; turtle; cat; and gnawing animals were recovered [French 1964a:21; 1965a:28; 1965b:89]. Sheep; goat; cattle; and horse bones were recovered from the 2A settlement. Some properties observed at the skull of a cow show that it was domesticated [French 1965a:29]. Cattle; horse; sheep; pig; and rabbit bones are among the remains of 2B settlement [French 1963:36]. Flora: Grain and seed remains were recovered from the Late Chalcolithic Age level [French 1965a:28]. Grains were found at the house of 2A [French 1968a:90]. Charred grains [French 1962b:33]; charred wood and flora [French 1963:35] were recovered from a building at 2B. Other: Beads made of shells [French 1964a:21]; and although its raw material is not known for sure; a bracelet made of ivory from 2A level are the other interesting finds [French 1967b:170].

Remains:

Interpretation and Dating: According to the 14C examples taken for the absolute dating of the Chalcolithic settlements of Can Hasan; the Early Chalcolithic Age dates back to 5500Ğ5000 BC ( PĞ794 5083+-89; PĞ795 4882+-78; PĞ790 4880+-78; PĞ791 4805+-80; PĞ792 4720+-76; PĞ793 4303+-78 ); and the Middle Chalcolithic Age dates back to 5000Ğ4250 ( PĞ789 5030+-79 ). Although there is not a 14C date for the Late Chalcolithic Age; the excavators claim that this settlement dates back to 3750Ğ3250 BC [French 1965a:29].

To List