The 1999 Bademağacı Excavation Report

Abstract

Excavation work on the Bademağacı tumulus was extended in the seventh season between July and September 1999. Digging in the deep trench reached a depth of only 25 cm and the uncovering of a Early Neolithic Period (ENP) settlement in the tumulus at the seventh structural level of the ruins. Despite the absence of architectural remains in this stratum, ceramic shards belonging to thin, burnished pots with a light graycolored body and rimmed profile characteristic of the period were recovered. In the course of work in the northeast section of the tumulus, occupation levels dated to late ENP on top and Early Bronze Age (EBA) settlements on the slopes, along with a portion of the adjacent stone pavement (on a declivity), were uncovered. In addition, work was undertaken to ascertain certain details of the structures with megaron-type floor plans in the EBA 3 and EBA 2 settlements. Some of the aforementioned structures possessed no rear wall, which suggested that they may have been utilized as a kind of passageway. In the northern half of the tumulus, at the south edge of Trench A, where excavation work on the stratigraphy has been ongoing, a 250-squaremeter-section was added to the excavation area. In this new area, digging reached only a depth of 50 cm. Identification of the cultural phase to which belonged the foundation remains appearing in the upper layers remained undetermined. Clearing was commenced in the 1999 season of the paved area at the top of the tumulus and the foundations of a simple, tlıree-apsed church whose foundations were in a very ruined state was discovered beneath a dense accumulation of stones. Since the initiating the Bademağacı excavation in 1993, no archeological artifacts of any kind have been recovered in surface investigations that might signal occupation in the Byzantine period.