Two Stone Plates from the Sarıkaya Palace at Acemhöyük

Abstract

From the west wing of the Sarıkaya palace at Acemhöyük have come objects of a variety of precious materials, including gold, ivory, rock crystal and obsidian. Before the systematic excavations of the site began, much damage had been done in this area by villagers in search of stone or clay. Although the disturbed condition of the palace remains has thus prevented a clear understanding of the provenience of these objects, recent excavations have contributed new information for this inquiry. Investigations at the palace, in particular in Room 17, have established that the ground floor of this two-story structure served for storage purposes. That the second floor was used at least in part to protect valuable possessions is indicated by the provenience of the obsidian plate and the radiolarium plate with stand which form the subject of this discussion. They were recovered from the collapsed ceiling debris in Room 17 of the Sarıkaya palace, at a height of 2.5 m. above the floor level.