|
©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
Çavdarli Höyük |
|
|
For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
|
Type:
|
Mound |
|
Altitude:
|
1000 m |
|
Region:
|
Aegean |
|
Province:
|
Afyonkarahisar |
|
District:
|
Merkez |
|
Village:
|
Çavdarli |
|
Investigation Method:
|
Excavation |
|
Period:
|
EBA II |
|
|
|
  |
|
| Location: It lies 3.6 km southwest of the village of Çavdarli; about 12 km east of Afyonkarahisar Province. |
| Geography and Environment: It is located on the lowland formed by the Akarçay Stream. It measures ca. 6 m in height and ca. 200-250 m in diameter. The well located on the north probably supplied the water to the EBA and Roman Period inhabitants. An old river channel passes by the mound. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: A salvage excavation was carried out by M. Akok in 1964 when it was informed that the local villagers found plenty of marble sculptures while they were removing soil from the northern part of the mound. Many trenches were opened in several sections of the mound; particularly in the damaged area. In the guide of Afyon Archaeological Museum the site is named as Çavdarli - Kovalik. It is not mentioned neither by Mellaart nor French in their surveys of Western Anatolia. |
| Stratigraphy: The prehistoric levels were reached at trench A in the damaged area. Presence of two layers is suggested [Akok 1967:11]. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: The EBA level was reached after 5.5 m at trench A. Scanty wall remains didn't yield a good architectural plan. M. Akok relates this with the damage caused by the foundation pits of the upper Roman remains [Akok 1967:6]. The stone foundations were attached by loam mortar. Yet; it can be presumed that they are buildings with small rooms. The superstructure is suggested to be of mudbrick [Akok 1967:pic.7]. Pottery: Handmade; red and black washed and burnished vessels were recovered. The most common form is small sized single handled mugs. Plenty of sherds such as flat bottoms; straight and twisted handles were collected. Clay: A triangular brush handle was found. On one side; there are three rows of holes where the bristles or grass pass through. Lots of spindle whorls were recovered. Some bear excised decorations with geometrical patterns. Some of them bear deeper excisions which were stuffed with white fillings. They are all burnished. Chipped Stone: M. Akok doesn't introduce any material of this industry other than a silex blade employed as a knife in his excavation report. One edge of the blade looks like a saw. Ground Stone: A shaft-holed axe in marble is the most amazing item of this group [Akok 1967:pic.57]. Metal: A double strangle headed copper pin and a lentil headed pin were found. Human Remains: On the northwestern part of the trench A; a skeleton buried in hocker position was recovered. It is not reported if it has any relation with the architecture here. The grave was built by lining a pit by stones; and then capping it by wooden beams after interring the burial. M. Akok defines this type of graves as the simplest forms of Alacahöyük graves. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: Çavdarli Höyük is one of those mounds in Anatolia being excavated for only 15 days and then abandoned. Therefore; it is impossible to figure out a settlement plan as well as the cultural elements of the EBA settlement. The finds are comparable with EBA II. M. Akok proposes a range of 2500-2000 BC for those layers. |
