--KAPAK ARAÞTIRMA kopya 1 - Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı

oth on the top of these and at their feet, whilst no associated stratification has been
preserved. In most cases these are single phased occupations, as in some sites belonging
to the Early Bronze Age II (Taş Tepe, n.14; Küçük Karamildan Tepe, n. 17) or
to the Roman period (Fırıncı Köyü kuzeyi, n. 19; Aladdin Tepe, n. 28), or they represent
reoccupations after very long periods of abandonment (Kale Tepe, n. 30; Kurik, n.
22; Muhlisin Tepe, n. 16; Karababa mevkii, n. 10). 3 sites are located on plateaus that
have very steep slopes. These are areas in which the morphology clearly indicates an
evident role of the site as controlling post over the surrounding lands. Karamildan Tepe,
located along the Malatya-Elazığ road, is a site of this kind (Figs. 7, 8). The majority
of the materials found on the top of this site are of Roman period and amongst these
is a coin possibly originating from the mint of Antiocheia and attributable to the Emperor
Aurelianus (274-275 A.D.; IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG. "Imperator Caesar Aurelianus
Augustus"; CONSERVAT AVG "Conservator Augusti"). The summit of the plateau
is topographically divided in two distinct areas: one intended for a fortified occupation,
surrounded by walls now partly submerged and partly visible; the other was outside
the fortified area, and here are various cisterns and stone quarries from which building
material was taken. Access to Karamildan from the valley can be identified by
analysing the transversal photos. The morphology of the plateau reveals, in fact, on its
northern side, the only possible access, probably artificially modified, with a sinuous
trend. From the base of the plateau Early Bronze Age materials have been found.
Two sites, with ceramics dated to various periods, have been identified in hilly
areas, with a wavy morphology, difficult to associate to any specific territorial category
(Mağaracık, n. 3; Sarılık Tepe n. 11).
Five sites are on the plain and, except in one single case, (Palabıyıklar, n. 13),
all are of Roman and Medieval period (Karabdal, n. 26; Başpınar, n. 23; Kayserci Pınar,
n. 2; Mağaracık çevresi n. 5).
Lastly, 4 are real höyüks: Fırıncı Höyük, n. 18; Yarım Tepe, n. 33; Cantepe, n. 24
(or Cano Tepe); Süleyman Tepe, n. 27 (or Hasıcılar). These are sites already known of,
which have been subject to surface collections in the 50s and 70s by English, Israeli
and Turkish teams of archaeologists. Investigations carried out by our equipe had the
intent of identifying specific areas of distribution of the archaeological material on the
single höyüks, and of updating the actual chronological distribution of the sites. Topographical
plans with the differential GPS have been made on 3 of the 4 tells. Amongst
these is Süleyman Tepe (Hasıcılar, n. 27). This höyük (Figs. 9, 10), that embraces the
whole Early Bronze III period (second half of the III millennium BC), evidences serious
problems of conservation: the repeated and systematic removal of clay and gravel,
used for building activities, has dramatically reduced the mound. The tell has grown on
a natural hilly formation of gravely and not well cemented conglomerate. Significant ceramic
material has been collected from the contact surface between the geological formation
and the archaeological level. This would mean that the earliest occupation of
this höyük can be dated with sufficient confidence to the beginning of Early Bronze III.
Specific finds, not interpretable as occupation areas are those of 3 sites, unfortunately
not dateable due to the total absence of ceramic materials. First case is that
of Şahnalık Tepe (n. 29), an artificial earth tumulus at the margins of a vast plateau that
overlooks large part of the valley towards Malatya. The structure is greatly damaged
due to the systematic removal of soil by the local villagers. No dating elements have
been found, but the morphological characters very much remind a "Kurgan". The second
site is Laupbaba Tepe (n. 31). This is on the top of a mountain (Fig. 11), at 1200
m. above sea level, and the identified structure is a large stone circle with a dromos
access at the highest point of the circle; here too dating elements are absent. Lastly,
at Taşlık Tepe (n. 32), a vast quarry, used until quite recently but today abandoned, has
emerged. A specific area of the quarry would appear to have been used in ancient times,
even though it is impossible to say when.
Conclusions
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