©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project

Kavusan Höyük

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Kavuşan Höyük
Type:
 Mound
Altitude:
 558 m
Region:
 Southeastern Anatolia
Province:
 Diyarbakir
District:
 Bismil
Village:
 Yenice
Investigation Method:
 Excavation
Period:
 Middle Iron Age Early Iron Age New Assyrian Empire Period

     

Location: It is located in Inardi field; the village of Yenice; about 10 km southeast of the district of Bismil in the district of Diyarbakir. It lies immediately to the east of the joining point of Seyhan stream and Tigris; about 65-70 m south of the bank of Tigris.
Geography and Environment: The northern half of the mound is destructed by the inundation of Tigris. The southern foots are filled with the alluvium and mud layer carried by Seyhan stream. The whole surface of the mound is damaged by agricultural activities. According to the surface finds; the settlement measures 175 m in east-west and 75 m in north-south directions. It measures 8 m at the north and 2 m at the south.
History:
Research and Excavation: The Kavusan Mound was first documented during the surveys conducted in the region by a team under the direction of G. Algaze in 1988 and after. Upon re-survey of the environs of Diyarbakir during the surveys and planning activities for the Kargamis and Ilisu Dam reservoirs under the leadership of ODTÜ-TAÇDAM, the mound was re-visited by G. Kozbe in 2000 for initiation of the salvage excavations [Kozbe et al. 2003:139]. And, consequently excavations were initiated in 2001 under the framework of the above project by a team under the direction of G. Kozbe. After 2005, the excavation has been taken over by the directorate of the Diyarbakir Museum with the participation of G. Kozbe. It takes place in the registered archaeological sites list prepared by Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Stratigraphy: The surveys prior to the excavations and the campaigns in 2001-2002 and 2005-2006 indicate that for now the site can be dated back to the Late Chalcolithic Age although architectural elements representing this period have not been uncovered yet; finds related with this building level are only limited to pottery and flintstone tools recovered from the pits. Although the building level that had been inhabited at latest is dated to the Middle Age, there are also some Islamic tombs on the surface of the mound. It had been occupied as a cemetery during the Islamic Period, not as a settlement. In a publication dated to 2013, the stratigraphy was revised as it follows: - Kavusan I: Modern Period Islamic Cemetery (the end of the 19th century-20th century) - Kavusan II: Middle Ages (12th-14th century) - Kavusan III: Hellenistic Period (the last quarter of the 4th century BC-3rd century BC) - Kavusan IV: Post Assyrian Period (Late IA: the end of the 7th century BC-the last quarter of the 4th century BC) - Kavusan V: Neo Assyrian Period (9th-the end of the 7th century) - Kavusan VI: Early Iron Age (11th-9th century BC) - Kavusan VII: Mitanni Period-Middle Assyrian Period (Late Bronze Age: 14th-11th century BC) - Kavusan VIII: the end of the Early Bronze Age/Middle Brõnze Age (the end of the 3rd millennium BC-the first half of the 2nd millennium BC) - Kavusan IX: Early Bronze Age (the second half of the 3rd millennium BC) [Kozbe 2013:331-2]. The Post Assyrian Period represents the period in which the political existence of Assyria came to an end but the Assyrian culture continued. Ceramics, way of life and burial customs seen on the Neo Assyrian Period also existed during the Post Assyrian Period [Kozbe 2013:333].
Small Finds: Architecture: The Neo-Assyrian Period, the building level III on the mound, consists of a mud floor including a mortar with a rim diameter of 23 cm, and a depth of 20 cm, and the rim being on the floor level, a three-section bin made of mudbricks and an ash pit [Kozbe-Köroglu 2004:282]. The trench F13, in general, yielded a Neo-Assyrian layer. The first traces of the mud floor dated as the floor of the Neo-Assyrian level were reached at -1.39 m. This very thick (up to 20 cm) and sound floor inclines southwards. The compressed mud floor was revealed in an area of 3.5x3 m. However, some of the pits opened at this level and the subsequent ones opened during the Post-Assyrian Period destroyed the floor. The layer which yielded the spindle-whorls represents late phase of the Neo Assyrian building level at Kavusan Höyük [Kozbe 2007:575]. When the features of the compressed mud floor, pits related with the floor, spindle whorls uncovered inside and outside the pits and typological similarities of the spindle whorls at trench F 13 are considered, it is also possible to see an extension of the Neo-Assyrian level at trench G 14. As a matter of fact, a clay block was uncovered at square G 14c approximately at a depth of -2.46 m [Kozbe 2007:577]. The trench G 14 yielded a rough mud floor at a depth of -2.48 m and a relevant wall, again made of rough mud, stretching in the northwest-southeast directions, and measuring ca. 30x70 cm in dimensions. The floor was given an inclination for using the top as a "kneading trough". Uncovering an in situ mortar and a silo close to the trough may indicate the presence of an "activity area", which in turn suggests that this area might have been used for processing wheat and daily breadmaking. Thus, there should have been a tandoor or a hearth here. As a matter of fact, next excavations yielded a tandoor next to the rough mud wall enclosing north of the floor with trough. It was observed that the tandoor with a floor paved with slabs had been heavily destroyed. An interesting point is that the wall only enclosed the northern part of the floor, not the other parts. It suggests that the tandoor and its vicinity may have been overtopped by a light material such as wooden posts like the ones currently used. Furthermore, an important find in this area is an almost complete painted vessel uncovered from the floor with trough. Similar handmade types of this vessel defined as the "painted ware of the Early Iron Age" with its typical decorative pattern have been recovered previously at Kavusan Höyük and in the neighbouring mounds. However, presence of this fast wheelmade sample at the Neo-Assyrian level indicates that the painted ware tradition of the Early Iron Age may have been maintained during the middle, even the late phases of the Iron Ages [Kozbe 2007:578]. An analysis of the ceramics around the in situ tandoor (no.2) found at trench H 10 showed that all samples represent the Neo-Assyrian Period. Thus, it seems that the tandoor and the floor it was found can be dated to the Neo-Assyrian Period. However, availability of Neo-Assyrian ceramics even after removal of the tandoor and the relevant floor indicates that this building level had two phases [Kozbe 2007:580]. Neo Assyrian period building level and the related architectural elements found inside trench H13 during excavations in 2007 are remarkable. Neo Assyrian period findings were also found and these are classified as early and late phase. Inside the late phase floor nr 6, pits nr 4 and 5, the cinder pit north of plan square H13c, pit nr 1, floors nr 4 and 5 were identified. In Early Phase a pond, a canal, and 33 holes were identified which show dispersed and irregular placement on "Floor with holes/floor nr 10". There is an architectural element identified as water well east of this floor. The mouth of the well is covered with a very hard lime plaster which was also identified later inside the well wall. There is a second pit within the well, that has a smaller diameter and a plastered wall. Such wells display a different view than the wells observed in the region. Based on the village inhabitants working in the excavations, this type of wells were used for the fermentation process at Suryani villages in Mardin Sürgücü, and at present they serve for molasses production, one of these villages was visited to observe a well. It was found that such wells are used for wine storage, and the smaller pit actually serves as a filter for the collection of the pulp inside the wine. The holes on the floor probably derive from a similar wooden instrument used at these villages for grape juice production st present, where the pods were stuck into the floor. Thus, the pond, the floor with holes and the well point out at a wine workshop inside trench H13 [Kozbe et al. 2009: 205-207]. The basins with solid mud floor constitute the Post Assyrian architecture dated to Late IA that spread over a large area. Mortars, siloi and tandoori represent an activity area used for bread making or processing grains like wheat [Kozbe 2013:333]. 3 siloi (numbered as 1, 2 and 3) opened into the floor belonging to the Post Assyrian Period were determined. It comprises an area that is capable to store about 3-4 hectares grain. The stamp found on the floor and the vessels revealed in the siloi could be dated to the Post Assyrian Period [Kozbe 2013:334]. In Trench G14, a mud brick wall belonging to the early phase of the Neo Assyrian Period, a floor related to the wall, and a space bordered with mud bricks of 90x50 cm in dimension were exposed at the elevation of -3.00 m. The floor of the bordered space constitutes 2 whole and 1 half mud bricks, and the border was built with vertically placed half mud bricks. There is a thick layer of bitumen beneath it. This isolation material suggests that the area was used for water-related activities [Kozbe 2013:336]. Pottery: All of the Early Iron Age ware with a grooved rim are of moderate quality, monochrome, sand and grit tempered with a well baked and coreless paste, and mainly handmade. The vessels bearing multiple grooves immediately below the rim can be observed within an area of ca. 500 km in north-south, and ca. 700 km in east-west directions spanning from Transcaucasia to the north, the western shores of the Lake Urmiye to the southeast and to the Euphrates River to the west. Bowls, pots and narrow-mouth neckless jugs are common forms of the Early Iron Age ware at Kavusan Höyük. Bulbs and pouring lips on the grooves of the rims are noteworthy in some of the samples. The handmade ceramics in varying colors of brown, buff and dark grey usually have a simple profile with slightly everted or inverted rims [Kozbe 2006a:498]. The Post Assyrian pottery shares the same characteristics with the Neo Assyrian ware. However, the specimens of "Triangle-and-Festoon Ware" that are ornamented with wavy festoons between triangle motifs and horizontal bands also exist. Together with amorphous sherds, carinated bowls and pitchers are common forms. These wares are qualified and wheel-made and are coated with red and red brown paint decoration and buff, orangish buff and cream slip [Kozbe 2013:333-4]. The trench G 14 yielded fragments of a red painted vessel with wavy line decoration between inverted triangles and horizontal bands lying above the Neo-Assyrian Period and known as the Building Level III at Kavusan Höyük. Likewise, same type of ceramics were found in neighbouring sites such as Salat Tepe, Giricano, Üçtepe and Ziyaret Tepe. As a matter of fact, a similar vessel was found in the level overlaying the Neo-Assyrian Period at Üçtepe. The sample at Kavusan looks like "Triangle Ware" type of decoration, and indicates that the Building Level II may belong to the Late Iron Age, which is represented mostly by the transition pottery of the Iron Age-Hellenistic Period in the Upper Tigris region. This type of ceramic was similarly found in the building level between the Neo-Assyrian Period and Middle Age at Kavusan Höyük [Kozbe 2006a:499]. Although not much in quantity, some pots in pinkish buff color, fine-sand tempered, grooved surface with rolled out rims were uncovered during the 2001 campaign at Kavusan Höyük. These pots can be dated to the Neo-Assyrian Period in parallel to the similar ones found mainly at Üçtepe and Sultantepe. However, it is also difficult in other sites to distinguish between the Mitanni, Middle Assyrian and Neo-Assyrian Periods, which followed each other and intermingled in terms of traditional characteristics of pottery [Kozbe et al. 2003:471]. Therefore, the building level classifications at Kavusan Höyük can accordingly change [Kozbe et al. 2004:471]. While the nipple-based goblets among the characteristic "Assyrian types" of the Neo-Assyrian pottery were rarely found, no sample of goblets decorated with thumb impression, another typical form for this period, was uncovered. This can be explained as absence of thin-walled, fine sand tempered and well fired palace ware, found in the Assyrian capitals throughout the Neo-Assyrian Period, in a small village settlement such as Kavusan Höyük [Kozbe 2006a:499]. On the other hand, the most characteristic pottery assemblage of the Neo-Assyrian building level at Kavusan Höyük are the bowls with externally thickened rims, well-known in the region, particularly from the mounds to the south of the Tigris River. Despite variety of forms, the most characteristic ones of the Assyrian Imperial Period are those with one or more grooves on the upper part of the rim or around it. Slipped in a range of buff tones and brown, these ware are usually grit and straw tempered. However, the small-size vessels, which can be called bowls, have a very fine sand tempered paste. It appears that only these small-size vessels were burnished. The grooved Neo-Assyrian ceramics of Kavusan Höyük are wheelmade, and they are of grey core as they were sometimes moderately fired. The necked pots with externally thickened rims among the Neo-Assyrian pottery assemblage of Kavusan Höyük are among the standard forms of vessels of this period in the Upper Tigris Region as they were in the Assyrian territories and Northern Syria. A single circle relief enclosing the somewhat higher neck sections of the narrow-rim vessels like a necklace represents a very important feature of this period's pottery [Kozbe 2006a:499]. In the trench G 14, an intense amount of ceramics with grooved rims dating to the Early Iron Age was uncovered immediately under the area called "stone deposit". Other than the typical Early Iron Age pottery of the Eastern Anatolia, there are other ceramics bearing the influence of Assyrian ceramics along with grooved rims, but in a form that can be called local production. However, it is still unclear if this findspot is a pit. Nevertheless, presence of a homogeneous material, and that they were found burnt indicate that they might have been burnt together with wastes in the pit, which was probably in use during the Early Iron Age [Kozbe 2007:580]. 33 pieces of vessels were found intact or broken inside level 3 of trench F12, with specimens mostly in jar forms, and others with pointed bottom, glazed bottle, goblets, strainer bowl, and a flattened mouth rim bowl. This site dates to Neo Assyrian period based on collected sherds and emerges as the sole example at present within the settlements located at Upper Tigris Region. Another characteristic of the site is that the coarse vessels with fluted rims and pouring spouts that date to Early Iron Age in East Anatolia besides typical Neo Assyrian period sherds were found there [Kozbe et al. 2009:203]. Metal: A bronze spearhead was revealed together with the burnt and broken bones while emptying the single cremation urn found in 2006 at trench G 13. Besides this cremation at trench G 13, no other burial gifts were found so far in the cremated type of burials at Kavusan Höyük. Futhermore, two simple earthen burials (no. V and VIII) yielded bronze bracelet; a total of three bronze rings were found on the left hand of a skeleton (no. VIII), two on the ring finger, and the other on the thumb whereas a bronze pin was found on the chest of the skeleton no. VI as a burial gift [Kozbe et al. 2008:389]. During the 2007 excavation campaign, 1 golden earring, 1 bronze bracelet and 1 ring which was made out of both bronze and golden and a stamp seal which could belong to Hittite Imperial Period based on the preliminary studies were found in the urn numbered 18 which yielded rich burial gifts [Kozbe et al. 2009:204]. Clay: The 2001 campaign yielded 13 in situ spindle whorls made of clay, one fired, and others not fired in the northeastern section of the clay bin found on the mud floor from the Neo-Assyrian Period at trench G14 [Kozbe-Köroglu 2004:282]. Similarly, a total of 13 spindle whorls was found as piled up on each other on a soft area with traces of intense fire and ashes in front of a mudbrick block found at a depth of -2.46 m in the square G 14c. Next to the spindle whorls was a ball of clay prepared for producing spindle whorls [Kozbe 2007:577]. Another group of spindle whorls was found on the floor belonging to the Neo-Assyrian Period at trench F13. Heavily destroyed by the roots of plants, there is a total of 25 spindle whorls, 18 being complete and 7 in fragments. Also found are 5 pieces of spindle whorls in the northern extension of the compressed mud floor. Consequently, a total of 33 spindle whorls were identified related with this level dating to the Neo-Assyrian Period, 30 pieces from the floor, and 3 pieces from the pits [Kozbe 2007:575]. So, there was a total of 75 spindle whorls, complete and in fragments, at Kavusan Höyük at the end of the 2006 campaign. The number of spindle whorls reached up to 300 in 2008 [Kozbe 2013:335]. The spindle whorls are important in supporting the presence of a workshop in the mound. Bone: A bone pin was found next to the simple earthen burial uncovered at trench G 13 of Kavusan Höyük [Kozbe et al. 2008:390]. A great number of burnt bones were found in the pit no.30 that is about the same elevation with the cremation burials of Trench F13. The majority of bones belong to sheep and goat. They were exposed to a 600 degree fire. The fact that it is at the same elevation with the cremation burials indicates that it could be related to a ritual [Kozbe 2013:338]. Grave: The graves uncovered at Kavusan Höyük can be divided into three groups as cremation burials, simple earthen burials (inhumation) and pithos burials [Kozbe, in press]. During the 2005 campaign, the trench F 13 yielded 9 cremations, presumably dating to the early phase of the Neo-Assyrian Period. The first cremation urn (urn no. 1) was found in the pit no. 22 after removing the compressed Neo-Assyrian floor at trench F13. With a neckless form as a daily utensil, the cremation urn no.1 was uncovered immediately under the floor level. Having the form of a jug, the urn no.2 was also found immediately under the floor as its rim merged with the floor. The broken rim of the urn no.3 just like the urn no.2 may suggest that the floor was constructed over these vessels, and rims of some urns may have been broken during this procedure. Uncovered at a depth of -1.40/-1.65 m, this vessel can be defined as a jar with four horizontal painted bands. It was found to the west of the urn no. 4 inside the pit no. 20. Along with this cremation urn with a form of necked jar, a bowl used as lid of the urn was found. The intact cremation urn recovered from the pit no. 23 is a jar with a wide belly, and the fragments of another vessel placed around the urn for fixing and supporting it are also decorated with painted bands. The urn no. 6 was found inside the pit no. 24, which is located at the center of the plan square. It looks like the urn no. 5 in form, and a camber is observed around the belly as a flaw because it is handmade. The six cremation urns defined so far are reconstructable except a few minor cracks. However, the urn no. 7 found at the pit no. 25 is a utensil type of jar, and cannot be reconstructed as one third of it was burnt or lost. Two 14C samples taken around the urns no. 6 and 7 will contribute to precise dating of the cremations. The fact that the cremations were found under the partly damaged floor, in pits 0.5 m deeper than the floor level at the plan square F 13b, and also rims of some urns found in a damaged condition as if truncated by the floor may suggest that the cremations may have belonged to a period earlier than the compressed mud floor. No architectural traces were found during the excavations carried out to uncover these urns. Therefore, excavations were initiated at plan squares a and d in order to interpret the area where the cremations were found. And, another urn, called the urn no. 8 was recovered from the pit no. 26 at the plan square "d". It was burnt like the urn no. 7, and heavily damaged. Only one fourth of the urn was found, and some of the bones were melted and adhered to the exterior surface of the urn. The latest cremation urn (urn no.9) was found in 2005 at the center of the plan square "d" in the pit no.27, with the upper part completely damaged. It also bears traces of fire as seen in the urns no. 6 and 7. Furthermore, an intense area of fire was observed as in the plan squares "d" and "b". The traces of fire in some urns and in the area which yielded these urns should have resulted from the fact that the cremations were burned in situ [Kozbe 2007:575-577]. At the end of the 2006 campaign, a total of 8 cremation burials was identified, 7 from the same area, and 1 from the trench G 14, resulting in an overall total of 17 cremation burials which were brought to light in the amount at the end of 2006 [Kozbe et al. 2008:390-391]. When the simple earthen burials at Kavusan Höyük are considered, majority of them are dated to the Neo Assyrian Period. The excavations in 2005 yielded two new skeletons, one child and one female adult, from the Neo-Assyrian Period at trench G 14, while similarity of the beads recovered from the child's burial with the Assyrian beads reinforces dating of the burial to the Neo-Assyrian Period [Kozbe 2007:579]. During the 2006 excavations, a total of 7 simple earthen burials was found at trench G 13. On the other hand, two skeletons, one child and one adult found trech G 7 are again dated to the Neo-Assyrian Period based on the beads and gift vessels found next to them. Thus, the overall number of simple earthen burials of the Neo-Assyrian Period found at Kavusan Höyük was increased to 11. It appears that majority of these skeletons from the Neo-Assyrian Period belongs to children and women. The bodies were buried mostly in hocker or semi hocker position together with vessels including bronze pins, rings, bracelets, mainly wristlets and necklaces made of beads, placed near their heads. Furthermore, it seems that majority of the skeletons were buried under rough mud floors in areas that can be called courtyards. The first jar burial of Kavusan Höyük was exposed in Trench G 13 in 2006. 6-7 month old infant skeleton in hocker position was found in an open jar. The mouth of the jar was closed with a bowl. A great number of bone and stone beads found in the jar burial shows the existence of bracelets placed as burial goods. The context of the burial indicates that the infant might be from a wealthy family [Kozbe et al. 2008:391; Kozbe 2013:338]. In 2007, 3 jar burials were found in the plan square G12c and 1 jar burial in the plan square G12d. The burial no.1 in the plan square G12c is a 3-6 months old infant with a great number of beads left as burial goods. The burial no.2 is a 9 months old infant without burial goods. The third jar burial supported with stones was found in the lower elevation. The burial belongs to a 2-year-old child. It contains beads as burial goods. The mouth of jar burial in the plan square G12d was covered with two bowls placed on top of each other. The burial belongs to a 9 months old infant and it contains beads left as burial goods [Kozbe 2013:338]. Three more urnes were found that date to Neo Assyrian period inside trench F13 during 2007 excavations. Among the vessels placed side-by-side, the cremation vessel 17 belongs to a child 4-5 yrs of age. Urne nr 18 is the only specimen to rich burial containing presents among the cremations at the mound. Besides, It is interesting that the urne contained long bones of an adult and the bones of a child, 2-3 years of age besides bronze remains. Urne nr 19 contains bones of a child 8-12 yrs of age, but the gender could not be identified [Kozbe et al. 2009:204]. It was found that two Neo Assyrian period vessels revealed inside trench G 12 contained inhumation in jar burials. Inhumation nr 1 contained 3-6, inhumation nr 2 contained 9 mos old baby bones. Inside a third jar found deeper inside the ground a 2 year old, and in another a 9 months old baby's bones were found [Kozbe et al. 2009:204-205]. In the silo no.3 dated to the Post Assyrian Period, a child skeleton was found. Under this skeleton, an adult woman skeleton with about 20 turtle skeletons around her was revealed. Most of these turtle skeletons are Euphrates softshell turtle. It is believed that these turtle shells were placed as a part of burial customs or some kind of ritual. Some of these turtles bear cut marks. The woman wears an anklet on her foot [Kozbe 2013:334-5]. The excavations carried out until 2008 yielded a cremation burial dated to the Post Assyrian Period. The burial belongs to a semi adult male. The diameter of the urn is 33 cm, and only base and some parts of it are preserved. A 32 cm long iron spear, possibly placed as burial goods, was found next to it [Kozbe 2013:335]. In Kavusan Höyük, the graves dated to the Neo Assyrian Period consist of cremation burials, simple earth inhumations, and jar burials. 15 inhumations, 22 cremations and 5 jar burials were found between 2005 and 2008 [Kozbe 2013:336]. 10 of 15 individuals recovered from the earth graves determined until 2008 consist of women and children. The sex of 5 individuals couldn't be determined. There are burial gifts consisting of vessels, ornaments, bone awls and bronze pins. The lack of men among the individuals suggests that women and children were buried in spaces or nearby areas while men were buried in areas out of the settlement [Kozbe 2013:336-7]. Jewellery: There is a wide repertoire of jewellery gifts found next to the burials from the Neo-Assyrian Period at Kavusan Höyük. The simple earthen burials and 1 pithos burial found at the trenches F 13 and G 13 yielded necklaces and wrislets consisting of large and small beads made of bone and stones, mainly in black and white. The necklaces of some skeletons have a square-shaped bead, which lays in the middle part of the neck of the skeleton. The bead is decorated with various geometric ornaments and stylized depictions of dancing human beings (?) [Kozbe et al. 2008:389-390]. Beads placed as burial gifts were found inside 3 of 4 inhumation vessels which have been exposed in Trench G 12 in 2007 [Kozbe et al. 2009:205].
Remains:
Interpretation and Dating: The pottery assemblage between the end of the Late Bronze Age and the end of the Late Iron Age known from Kavusan Höyük and its neighbouring sites can provide many evidences about the development in this region. Owing to the recent excavations and surveys conducted in the Upper Tigris Region, new data are available to clarify above issues and serve as a basis for further studies in the region [Kozbe 2006a:499]. The architectural finds, pottery, small finds and particularly burials uncovered in the building levels belonging to the late Post-Assyrian Period and the Neo-Assyrian Period at Kavusan Höyük revealed very significant outcomes regarding the Iron Age of the Upper Tigris Region. Prominent presence of the grooved Early Iron Age pottery in the mound in addition to the reflections from the south under Mesopotamian influence is a significant indication of the presence of a local culture from the north, the Eastern Anatolia.


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