Çatalhöyük 2001 Archive Report

ÇATALHÖYÜK 2001 ARCHIVE REPORT

West Mound Excavations 2001

Batı Höyük Kazıları, 2001

Catriona Gibson, Jonathan Last

Abstract

A short season of excavation on the West Mound at Çatalhöyük was undertaken with the primary aim of extending the plan of the building investigated in 2000. Topsoil was removed in spits, late features (principally Byzantine graves) were defined and in some cases excavated, and careful cleaning was undertaken to reveal Chalcolithic walls and fills. Among the Byzantine features, one tile-lined grave with painted plaster was fully excavated while an even more elaborate painted tomb was revealed beneath a large ?robber pit. The Chalcolithic walls were visible both in plan and in the sides of these features; they show the northern and western limits of the spaces revealed in 2000, and parts of adjacent buildings. Specialist analyses of pottery, chipped stone, faunal and botanical remains were also undertaken.

Özet

Bu kısa kazı sezonunun ana hedefi, 2000 senesinde bulunan binanın planının tamamını ortaya çıkarmak olmuştur. Üst toprağın kazılmasıyla geç döneme ait ögeler (özellikle Bizans dönemine ait mezarlar) belirlenmiş ve gerektiği durumlarda kazılmış, Kalkolitik dönemine ait duvar ve doguları ortaya çıkarmak için özenli temizlik yapılmıştır. Bizans dönemi ögeleri arasında, boyalı sıva ile kaplı kiremit duvarlara sahip olan bir mezar tamamiyle kazılmıştır. Daha özenli yapılmış başka bir mezar, olasılıkla mezar soyguncuları tarafından açılmış bir çukurun temizlenmesiyle ortaya çıkarılmış, ancak kazılmamıştır. Kalkolitik dönemine ait bazı duvarlar, hem planda hem de bu ögelerin kenarlarından görülmüştür; bu duvarların bir kısmı 2000 senesinde açığa çıkarılan binanın kuzey ve güney sınırlarını belirleyen duvarlar, bir kısmı da yan binaların duvarlarıdır. Bu sezonda aynı zamanda, uzmanlar tarafından alanın çanak-çömlek, yonga taş, fauna ve botanik değerlendirmeleri yapılmıştır.

Introduction

Four weeks of excavation took place on the West Mound of Çatalhöyük during June and July 2001, funded by the Wainwright Trust and the British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara. The excavation was directed jointly by Peter Boyer, Catriona Gibson and Jonathan Last. This preliminary report summarises the main findings from the 2001 season.

Aims of season

Excavations on the West Mound in 2000 revealed at least three phases of Chalcolithic architecture overlain by Byzantine burials. The Chalcolithic finds comprised seven small spaces within an area of c 12 x 6 m, all apparently belonging to a single building (B.25). Given the size and complexity of the structure, the intention of the limited 2001 season was to expand excavation horizontally rather than vertically, through an extension of the 2000 trench to the north, west and east. The aim was to find the external walls of B.25, determine whether it was bounded by additional rooms or open spaces and to uncover associated spaces, including other buildings; also to identify the presence of further Byzantine features. Because there is no clear perimeter wall to the Chalcolithic building, as so far exposed, the question of whether individual houses can be delimited is crucial, particularly in order to make comparisons with architecture on the adjacent Neolithic East Mound. Furthermore, since we have little understanding of Early Chalcolithic building practices in the Konya Plain (and in central Anatolia generally), to excavate only part of a building might be misleading.

The other aim of the 2001 season was to conduct a fuller and more detailed analysis of the ceramic, lithic and animal bone assemblages retrieved during the 1998, 2000 and 2001 seasons. For this purpose, lithics specialist Tiffany Raszick (undertaking the analysis as part of her PhD research at the University of Liverpool), faunal specialist Sheelagh Frame and ceramics specialists Jonathan Last and Catriona Gibson combined excavation in the field with analysis in the laboratory.

Summary of excavation

The trench was extended to the north, west and east around the original area (2000 Trench), and expanded to c 23 x 9 m (Figure 27). Two spits were removed across the entire L-shaped area: 6596 (surface vegetation and c 5 cm of topsoil) above 6599 (a 10 cm spit). Further 10 cm spits below 6599 include 7211, covering c 11 x 9 m in the west of the area, and 7223, in the eastern 'arm' of the trench (c 12 x 4 m). Below 6599 a number of recent features also emerged, including pits 6598 (fill 6597), 7200 (fill 7201), 7202 (fill 7203), 7204 (fill 7205) and 7212 (fill 7213), all in the western part of the trench, along with 7208 (fill 7209) and 7214 (fill 7215) in the east. Pit 7200 contained a large number of decorated Chalcolithic body sherds as well as iron nails and may be associated with Mellaart's excavations in 1961, perhaps comprising discarded non-diagnostic sherds. Pit 7212 lay beneath 7210, a spread of burnt material 1.2 x 0.6 m in area.

Also revealed in this north-western area was Byzantine grave F726 (cut 7206), which proved to be most interesting since it was immediately clear that here was an undisturbed tomb which had been constructed on the highest part of the mound. The upper fill (7207) was 0.45 m deep and overlay two large unworked limestone capstones and clay packing (7217) which sealed the grave beneath. These heavy stones (removed with the help of a tractor) were sitting on walls of decorated ceramic tiles (7220), which lined the grave cut. Removal of the main grave fill (7221) revealed a well-built structure (2.6 x 1.4 m) containing 22 courses of well-preserved mortared tile, with plaster facing (7243) and traces of red-painted decoration. A human skeleton (7226) of an adult male, probably in his mid-forties was encountered at a depth of 60 cm, within the remains of a wooden coffin (7230). Further fill (7229) lay below the skeleton but apparently still within the coffin. The elaborate tomb (Figure 28) suggests he was a person of some importance in the local Byzantine community. Once the skeleton had been removed, a 10-15 cm thick laminated soil horizon (7236, 7242) was encountered beneath the coffin and the tile-lined base of the grave (7251). These wash deposits imply that the grave was open for some time before the body was interred, perhaps for people to admire the structure. Finally, deposit 7250 was a layer below the tile walls but above the base of the grave.

In the south-west of the trench, a stone and mudbrick wall (F727; 7216 & 7224) ran east-west on the same alignment as Chalcolithic walls in the 2000 trench to the east. However, the stone construction is likely to be Byzantine (see below). Running northwards from this wall, and perhaps also part of the Byzantine activity, was an uneven beaten earth surface (7244). This underlay mixed deposit 7228, itself beneath 7211 in this area, and bricky 'lumps' 7238; 7228 included Byzantine remains - lumps of limestone, mortar, tile and plaster fragments. The surface was also cut by a small oval pit (7279) with a soft fill containing further bricky lumps (7278). Cleaning to the south of the wall, however, revealed in situ Chalcolithic material (7227), including large potsherds, which has not been fully excavated. Deposits to the west of 7228 and 7244 (some fill removed as 7237 and 7282) were not fully defined but may also be Chalcolithic.

At the same level to the east of 7228 a large rectangular pit (7218) was identified. It measured c. 4.5 m x 4 m x 0.70 m deep and was filled with several dump deposits (7219, 7233, 7239, 7241, 7247, 7248, 7253). Initially the full extent of this feature was not clear and several of these deposits were not recognised as related fills. Finds within 7218 included large pieces of mortar, Byzantine plaster (some painted), broken tiles and fish bones, as well as other industrial-like debris. At the base a well-built grave (F728), large enough for two or more interments, was encountered, its upper part having been truncated and severely disturbed by the later pit. The grave was cleaned up and planned, but given its size (3.2 x 2.8 m) and complexity, with several phases of rebuilding and potentially requiring major conservation, there was insufficient time and resources to excavate it in 2001. The grave walls were constructed of stone to the east and mortar with tile rubble on the other three sides; all were decorated with bichrome (red and green) painted motifs, including floral designs, on hard white plaster. A later rubble wall, running east-west, divided the grave fill and suggests the insertion of a later burial within the tomb. This wall was associated with an oval cut (7263; fill 7264). A fragment of a decorated marble bracelet was retrieved during the cleaning of the grave and may be a grave good disturbed from the burial(s) below. Furthermore a complete human femur was detected at the base of 7253 (the earliest pit fill excavated), and undoubtedly relates to grave derangement.

The two graves F726 and F728 (or at least the larger cut 7218 above it) truncated irregular pit 7274 (fill 7272), which also contained some Byzantine sherds (it was not fully excavated). This feature may in turn have truncated the northern end of surface 7244.

Although some features, such as grave F726, were clearly visible at a high level, others were more disturbed and the nature/relationship of several excavated deposits were not immediately apparent. North and east of 7218 deposits excavated beneath 7211/7223 include a small lens/layer of plaster (7222) measuring c 1.0 x 0.4 m and a rectangular area of loose dark fill (7225) measuring up to 2.0 x 1.0 m, apparently within a cut (7232). This elongated feature is either on the line of an east-west running Chalcolithic wall or adjacent to one, so it may represent a robber cut of uncertain date (the fill contained many Chalcolithic potsherds and a single Byzantine one). Cut 7240 was a similarly elongated but slightly less regular feature to the north-east of 7232; its fill did contain significant Byzantine finds. Around these features, where deposits could not be clearly defined, further arbitrary spits were taken out, comprising 7234, up to 13 cm deep, over 7271. Further west, 7273 was a single cleaning layer below 7211 in the area directly north of 7218, which revealed another likely grave at the northern edge of the trench (A on Figure 27). Meanwhile in the corner of the trench to the north and west of grave F726 cleaning layer 7276 was removed to define two Chalcolithic walls and midden-like infill truncated by the grave (B).

South of 7218 (and east of wall F727) compact bricky fill 7281 was removed. To the east of 7218, layer 7231 (5-10 cm thick) was removed above 7266 (the latter equivalent to 7271 further north). At this level distinct features and deposits were defined; as well as Chalcolithic mudbrick walls (C & D), Byzantine grave fill (7268) could be distinguished from intact Chalcolithic room fill (7269, also underlying 7281); both of these were partly excavated.

In the eastern arm of the trench, below 7223, cleaning deposit 7245 (10.5 x 4.5 m) was removed, in turn above arbitrary layers 7252 to the east and 7267 to the west. Below 7245, at the western end of this area, were pit 7249, originally defined as a probably circular cut, its northern half beyond the edge of excavation, and four smaller cuts interpreted as possible postholes: 7256 (fill 7255), 7260 (fill 7254), 7262 (fill 7259) and 7265 (fill 7258). Further east was one more possible posthole, 7261 (fill 7257). None of these form any coherent pattern and they may be disturbances rather than deliberately cut features. However, they may relate to grave markers. Pit 7249 was later found to cut (or form part of?) a larger Byzantine feature, probably another grave. This was partially excavated (fill 7280) in order to better define the line of a Chalcolithic wall with plastered face (E) visible in the sides and base of the grave cut. A further likely grave lay close to the east of 7249 (F).

To the south of 7249, under 7267 and cleaning deposit 7270 a white plaster surface (G) was revealed, continuing the latest of those revealed in 2000 in Space 194, which lies just to the south. Although no bricks could be identified, this surface ran out to the north with a straight edge that was in direct alignment with a plaster-faced corner of two walls lying a little way to the west (H). Both the plaster surface and this wall were truncated by another probable grave (not excavated but filled with deposit 7275). A further grave (I) lay between 7218 and 7275, also truncating the plaster-faced walls, but further cleaning (7277) to the north of this area revealed an additional possible wall line, running north-south (J).

Further east features remained poorly defined at a greater depth below 7252. A vague, probably double wall-line was revealed (K), which may connect with wall E. The reality of this wall was confirmed when careful cleaning and appropriate light revealed it in the northern section of the 2000 trench. At the extreme east end of the trench some kind of cut associated with a mudbrick construction that is probably Byzantine (from the distinctive orange colour of the bricks) was revealed (L).

Interpretation

The work this season has served to clarify the Chalcolithic building plan somewhat and has revealed further walls presumably belonging to other structures. Truncation by numerous Byzantine graves, and possibly other features, hinders interpretation of the prehistoric architecture, although they do allow views of the Chalcolithic deposits in section (particularly clear in the excavated features F726 and 7218). In addition to F726 and F728, some six further grave-like features were wholly or partly revealed in the trench, all aligned east-west; they were defined and recorded in plan but remain to be excavated in 2002.

The prehistoric evidence, which the graves have truncated, can be summarised as follows. The northern limit and north-west corner of B.25 were identified from fragments of a late plaster surface (Figure 27: G), continuing that revealed in 2000, and a plaster-faced corner of mudbrick wall (H). To the north of this lies another east-west running mudbrick wall with a plastered northern face (E). Assuming the plaster face is internal, this wall may mark the southern limit of another building to the north of B.25, with a narrow space (possibly a midden area or part of a 'lane') lying between them, its ends delimited by walls J and K. This gap may indicate that individual buildings are free-standing, and do not have party walls.

To the west of the 2000 excavations, a well-preserved (although truncated) double east-west oriented mudbrick wall was defined running up to the western wall of B.25 (C). While this might represent a separate building (or buildings), the north-west corner of B.25 actually steps out further to the west (to corner H), behind a narrow plastered bench or platform excavated in the north-west corner of the 2000 trench. This constructional complexity suggests that B.25, as exposed in 2000, and the new spaces immediately to the west may be integral. On the other hand, it might be erroneous to assume that the Chalcolithic buildings should be neatly rectangular in plan.

Further north and west, although severely truncated by the pit and grave activity, evidence for other rooms was encountered, assumed to represent a different building. At present it is difficult to define this building, although traces of both north-south and east-west oriented mudbrick walls were detected in plan (B) and in the sections of grave F726 and pit 7218 (north-west). To the south of wall F727, intact Early Chalcolithic room fill was encountered at quite a high level, containing potsherds, grinders and large pieces of animal bone. This concentration of material exhibits similarities with the room fills (and pottery clusters) excavated in the 2000 season (fill 3476, etc.).

Specialist analyses

Work on the ceramic, lithic and faunal assemblages concentrated mainly on the material excavated in 2000. Continued detailed recording of the pottery excavated from stratified contexts is intended to provide a quantitative basis for analysis of form, fabric and decoration. In addition the 2001 assemblage was sorted, counted and weighed; interesting pieces were extracted, drawn and photographed. These include part of a vessel representing a human face (using relief, incised and painted decoration) and a sherd with a painted hand and arm.

Preliminary analysis of the faunal remains suggests that the assemblage is dominated by sheep and goat to a far greater extent than those from the Neolithic East Mound. A number of large fish are present, which is not a feature of the Neolithic material. There are also differences in body part representation that indicate changes in butchery or depositional practices.

Preliminary analysis of the lithic assemblage offers a basic quantification. The material comprises 95% obsidian and 5% flint. Almost the full reduction sequence is present on the site, though few cortical flakes were found, which suggests core preparation took place elsewhere. Chips and shatter comprise 37% of the assemblage, while two types of blade (pressure and non-regular) represent 33%. Flakes represent 13% of the total, and there were smaller numbers (c. 1%) of cores, rejuvenation and preparation pieces. Among the retouched assemblages irregularly modified blades are most common.

Figures

Figure 27: West Mound Excavation Area 2001

Figure 28: Reconstruction of a byzantine buria