POSSIBLE LINKS BETWEEN THE HIGHLAND REGIONS NORTH OF THE CENTRAL TAURUS AND WEST CAPPADOCIA IN THE MIDDLE CHALCOLITHIC PERIOD (6th AND 5th MILLENNIUM BC)

Authors : Abdullah Hacar

Pages : 11-23

Doi:10.22520/tubaar.2017.21.001

View : 1 | Download : 13

Publication Date : 2017-12-05

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :When the data obtained from recent archaeological studies concerning the Middle Chalcolithic Period in west Cappadocia are put together, the results are often illuminating. A re-evaluation of finds from Kestel Mine and the northern Taurus survey carried out by Aslıhan Yener, during the years 1987-1996, made it possible to reveal the bigger picture. The cultural patterns of the Middle Chalcolithic Period are quite well-known not only due to Güvercinkayası I-II and Köşk Höyük I but also to the layers in Canhasan I 2A/B in the Karaman district and Mersin-Yumuktepe XVI in the Anatolian south coast. All remains that are present in the area point to a culturally and perhaps socio-politically linked community structure which had shared certain standards in the types of settlements, styles of architecture and pottery production. They also maintained similar storage and goods preservation practices. Contrary to earlier assumptions, the relatively contemporary material that was found in the highland regions in the north Central Taurus indicates that the community structure during this period may have had a more complex organization pattern. The sites of Kestel mine, and two close settlements (Çardacık-Karatepeler and Mahmatlı-Boztepe) could provide evidence for the possibility that the Middle Chalcolithic communities had a system that utilized surplus products effectively and thus developed craft specialization.
Keywords : Kestel Madeni, Çardacık-Karatepeler, Mahmatlı-Boztepe, Orta Torosların Kuzeyi, Batı Kapadokya, Orta Kalkolitik Dönem