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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Domuztepe |
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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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250 m |
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Region:
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Mediterranean |
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Province:
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Osmaniye |
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District:
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Kadirli |
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Village:
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Çerçioglu |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Ceramic |
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| Location: The site lies north of Adana; approximately 17 km southeast of Kadirli District; 6.5 km southwest of Çerçiusagi Village; just across Karatepe ruins. |
| Geography and Environment: The site is located on the eastern shore of Aslantepe Dam; near the lake. It used to lie on a rocky elevation; overlooking Ceyhan River; before the construction of the dam. The old settlements are on the western and southern slopes of the mound. The settlement is divided into three areas: The plateau where the Roman farm is located; the mound with all levels revealed; and the slope settlement (for detailed location see Harmankaya et al. 1997:Domuztepe). |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The site was surveyed by H.Th. Bossert and U.B. Alkim and other archaeologists after it was discovered by local villagers. The Neo-Hittite lion statues have added to the importance of this site [Alkim 1952:225-237]. The site was excavated and recorded by U. B. Alkim in 1949-52. The magnificent finds of Karatepe; just across the mound; overshadowed Domuztepe. Bushes were removed in order to survey the area that was going to be inundated; and to find other Late Hittite Period sculpture pieces at the western and southern slopes; looking at Tigris; after the construction of Aslantepe Dam. It was surprising to encounter an important settlement; comprising many cultural periods; on these slopes. After the cleaning and recording studies in 1983; bushes were removed at an area of approximately 500x100 m in 1984. In addition; small soundings were made for tracing walls with respect to the slope topography. Excavations were conducted by Çambel in 1984; first in the fields between the height of 146-130 m; the heights that correspond to the lowered water level of the dam lake. Excavation continues today on the top of the mound and in the forested region in the southeast. A Roman farmhouse; now cleaned and partially restored; was found in this forested area. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: The stratigraphic sequence revealed by the excavations are as follows from top to bottom: Roman; Hellenistic; Neo-Hittite. The Neo-Hittite settlement was comprised of three occupational phases. The latest phase dating to the eighth century BC the middle phase dating to the beginning of the ninth century B.C. and the earliest dating to the end of the ninth century BC. Although chipped stone tools and a flat axe were found just above virgin soil; these finds have not been assigned to any period. The 1983 excavations along the skirts of the mound revealed that there are three additional phases in the site's stratigraphy. From earliest to latest as follows: Phase I: from the end of the seventh millennium to the beginning of the sixth millennium BC Phase II: from the end of the fourth millennium B.C. to the third millennium BC Phase III: from the beginning of the second millennium B.C. to the sixth century BC |
| Small Finds: Architecture: Phase I; discovered after the 1983 excavations at the mound; has been assigned to the Neolithic and lies above virgin soil. The narrow and flat terraces on the southern and western sides of Domuztepe have been dated to 6.200-5.800 BC. It has been determined that there were many wooden cabins with simple stone enclosure walls which were destroyed by the settlers in the second millennium BC. Appropriate terraces seem to have been selectively chosen for these cabins. Pottery: The ceramics of Phase I resemble Mersin Yumuktepe XXXII-XXVII ceramics and northern Syrian; southeast Anatolian styles. The fill also included two sherds with painted decoration which resemble Mersin Yumuktepe XXIV-XXV. Chipped Stone: Even if flint or obsidian chipped stone finds were found; they have not been published. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: There must be a reason why the site of Domuztepe was selected as a location for seasonal habitation by nomadic tribes. The site's continuous habitation throughout different phases (see stratigraphy section) may be because; nestled in the meander of Ceyhan Stream; the site was not only in an area good for hunting; but was also on trade routes between the Çukurova Plain and the Anatolian Plateau. Neolithic habitation on the site must have extended beyond the side terraces of the mound on to the natural hill itself. This can be supported by the fact that excavation on the top of the mound yielded a celt and several Neolithic chipped stone tools. The trenches opened on the acropolis may have simply not coincided with where the Neolithic habitation was. The fact that later settlement destroyed earlier remains also adds to the scarcity of Neolithic material. Further excavations should help clarify the stratigraphy of the mound. The lowest level of Domuztepe has been assigned to the Early Neolithic by H. Çambel due to close ceramic affinities with Yumuktepe [Çambel 1986:37-38]. |
