EXCAVATION OF THE TEAM POZNAN AREA

Lech Czerniak & Arkadiusz Marciniak

The archaeological expedition from Poznan, Poland, continued the excavation of a 10 x 10 m trench, which is located in the highest point of the East Mound. Additionally, an extension trench of 10 x 4 m was opened up, located directly to the east of Mellaart’s Area A. Work was undertaken between 3 July and 29 July 2003. During this year’s season, late Neolithic phases of occupation represented by Buildings 33 and 34 have been revised and clarified. Further discoveries revealed an interesting layer, formed in order to level the surface before construction of the two late Neolithic buildings, as well as two large midden layers. Underneath these deposits there was a structure that appears to be the remains of the fallen roof of an earlier Neolithic building.

Eleven Byzantine burials were found in the extension trench, although not all of them have been excavated as yet. It is a much smaller number that was expected considering the results of the 2001 season. This may imply that we have reached the western edge of the burial ground. In subsequent seasons work will continue in the main trench as well as in its western extension. The excavation of the roof deposit as well as the Neolithic building underneath will be a priority for the main trench.

In addition to the burials many interesting finds were excavated in the depositional sequence under Buildings 33 and 34. These included a number of large pieces of red-painted plaster, an anthropomorphic figurine (Fig. 14), and a fragment of a clay pot stand (Fig. 15). Numerous Neolithic artefacts were found including pottery, obsidian tools, grinding stones, beads, and bone tools. The Neolithic pottery demonstrates a wide range of forms and decorations. A more recent find was a Roman zoomorphic figurine (Fig. 16).

Figure 14. Neolithic anthropomorphic figure (7814.X1).

Figure 15. Neolithic clay pot stand

Figure 16. Roman zoomorphic figurine (7825.X2).