The Iron Age Settlements in Amasya Province, Surveyed Results 1997-1999

Abstract

In this paper, the Iron Age settlements and their findings, that I have been surveyed in Amasya Province in Central Black Sea Region in 1997, 1998 and 1999 seasons, which are introduced and evaluated. Those settlements are Niyazbaba Tepesi in Gümüşhacıköy district, Alıcık Höyük, Alacapınar Tepesi, Delicik Tepe, Samadolu Höyüğü and Onhoroz Tepe in Merzifon district, Dereağıl Tepesi and Yoğurtçubaba Tepesi in Suluova district, Gediksaray Höyüğü in Göynücek district, Oluz Höyük and Doğantepe in central district of Amasya Province. Unfortunately, Amasya Province does not excavated settlement dated to Iron Age. But all the pot-sherds disclosed that they contain strong similarities with Samsun and Tokat provinces in Central Black Sea Region, with Ankara, Kırşehir, Çorum, Yozgat and Kayseri provinces in Central Anatolian Region Middle and Late Iron Age cultures. On this survey in the Central Black Sea Region, none of the potsherds like the features of the Early Iron Age pottery were found in Amasya Province. For Middle and Late Iron Age, originated in Kızılırmak Bend, usually called Alişar Höyük IV and Central Anatolian painted pottery tradition, found in Amasya Province. Again from Central Anatolia plain pottery, specially in brown and gray, found in the forms bowl, jug and crater in large quantities in Amasya Province. It is evident that in end of Late Iron Age i.e. late phase of Late Iron Age and Hellenistic Period, Amasya Province had close relations with Central Anatolian Region, from painted with parallel band decoration and ivy leafs bowls.