EARLY BRONZE AGE DAGGERS IN CENTRAL ... - Bilkent University

Hans Henning Von der Osten suggested that the Chalcolithic phase of Alişar
should be dated to within the first half of the third millennium B.C or possibly the
second half of the fourth millennium B.C. (Von der Osten, 1937: 30). The Chalcolithic
levels did not reveal coherent architectural house plans, but it was determined that
there were at least two building techniques: mud brick and wattle- and-daub
construction. Children were buried under the houses while adult burials were located
outside the houses (Von der Osten, 1937: 43). The bodies were placed in the grave in a
flexed or contracted position, turned to the right side and the head towards the west
while their feet pointed towards the east. The excavators recovered organic material
from the graves suggesting that the deceased were wrapped in fabric and hide. There
were four types of burials: simple earth burial, cist grave and body placed in a pot
(pithos) or a wooden box (Von der Osten, 1937: 32.44).
Metal finds come from only the highest level of the Chalcolithic (Late
Chalcolithic/EBA I) settlement. These finds include two fragments of dagger blades,
an arrow point, a pair of earrings, two bracelets from a burial and a copper stamp seal.
In addition to these copper objects, there was a pair of silver earrings, and a lead stamp
(Von der Osten, 1937: 91).
The second cultural period known from Alişar is the Early Bronze Age
settlement. The Early Bronze Age in Alişar starts out as a fully developed phase.
Copper was used for production of small blades, tools and accessories. Bronze only
appears at the end of the cultural phase. The cultural break from the Chalcolithic
period is also evident from the pottery finds. The new pottery horizon is marked by
red slipped ware. The vessel shapes, however, are more primitive and less varied than
27