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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Tilmen 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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863 m |
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Region:
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Mediterranean |
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Province:
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Gaziantep |
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District:
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Islahiye |
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Village:
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Bostanaga |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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| Location: The site lies approximately 10 km east of Islahiye District; in Gaziantep; 1800 m south of Bostanaga Village; north of the road leading to Islahiye. |
| Geography and Environment: Tilmen; located on a desiccated swamp area surrounded by the branches of Karasu River; is 21 m high; and measures 225 m in diameter. However; its original round shape had a diameter of 245 m before the central part extended towards west through time and the mound became ovoid as a result. It measures 200x125 m for now [Alkim 1964:169]. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: The excavations at Tilmen Höyük were initiated in 1959, and they lasted until 1964 during the excavations at Yesemek Sculpture Workshop conducted under the direction of U.B.Alkim. The same year the excavations were discontinued, the campaign at Gedikli-Karahöyük was initiated. In 1967 the excavations at that mound and Kirissal Höyük were terminated and the excavations at Tilmen Höyük were resumed in 1969. They were terminated in 1972. Another campaign was started under the direction of N. Marchetti of Bologna University in Italy in cooperation with R. Duru from Istanbul University and Gaziantep Museum in 2003 and a third campaign was carried out in 2005 [cat.une.edu.au/page/tilmen%20hoyuk 6.4.2007, 15:00]. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
| Stratigraphy: The stratification of Tilmen Höyük consists of the following periods in chronological order: Roman-Byzantine and Islamic Periods: Contaminated Deposit Iron Age (1st Millennium BC): Building level I phases a and b Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BC): Building levels II a-c and building levels III a, b Early Bronze Age III (3rd Millennium BC): Building levels III c-f Early Bronze Age II (3rd Millennium BC): Building levels III g-h Early Bronze Age I/II (3rd Millennium BC): Building level III i Early Bronze Age I (3rd Millennium BC): Building levels III j-k Late Chalcolithic Age (3400-3000 BC): Building levels IV a-d [Alkim 1960:9; Mellink 1961:46; Duru 2003:10; Duru 2004:120]. |
| Small Finds: Architecture: A thick fire debris was uncovered below the Roman levels. Reflecting a heavy destruction, the debris included large mudbrick fragments, regular stone blocks presumably of monumental buildings, several architectural elements and painted/unpainted Iron Age sherds. The building remains do not show a regular plan [Alkim 1962a:5; Alkim 1962b:454]. Almost all of the basalt plates covering the exterior walls of the extant palatial buildings and lower sections of the monumental entrance were left unattended and unwatched in 1982, resulting in deliberate destruction [Duru 2004:120]. The Iron Age culture is represented by the building Level I including phases Ia and Ib at Tilmen Höyük. The excavations showed that the foundation walls of Ia were directly seated on the foundation of Ib wall. Six round silos built with coarse stones and dating to the phase Ib were found. The phase Ib is followed by a fire level. The foundations of the silos at phase Ib cut through the building level II and continue down to the end of this level. Since this building was not extant, it was found that it belongs to the Iron Age based on the sherds that were collected [Duru 2003:29; Alkim 1962a:9]. The interior and exterior city walls in cyclopean technique, which were built with large stones and without any use of mortar, reaching up to 2 m high at several points, and the monumental entrance building on the eastern exterior wall at Tilmen Höyük are partially extant even at present day. Fragments of two basaltic gate lions were found on the ground in front of this entrance. The architectural style suggests that this fortification system belongs to the late 2nd Millenium/Early 1st Millennium BC [Mellink 1961:46; Alkim 1967a:45]. Two structures were found to the north and east of this fortification, which are assumed to be the remains of the gates. A gate lion was found on the ground near the East Gate [Alkim 1962b:449]. Pottery: Many painted and unpainted sherds characterizing the Iron Age (circa 8th century BC) were found in the Building Level I at Tilmen Höyük [Alkim 1962b:454]. Sculpture: The gate lion in front of the monumental entrance building on the east exterior fortification wall was found in 1958. Since the mound is located in a swamp, the lion sculpture was damaged due to prolonged contact with water [Alkim 1962b:449]. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The Iron Age culture at Tilmen Höyük is represented by the phases Ia and Ib of building level I [Duru 2003:29]. Tilmen Höyük was definitely one of the most important cities of Southeast Anatolia and North Syria. Particularly the hilltop section is believed to contain important buildings that have not been excavated, which will contribute to understanding of the political and cultural structure of the region during the 2nd Millennium BC [Duru 2004:120]. |
