Archaeological and archaeometric observations on inhabitation of the höyük settlement in the middle and late bronze ages

Abstract

Höyük Settlement is located within the boundary of Çal district of Denizli Province. It was strategically located on a natural passage and an important centre surrounded by walls during the 2nd millennium BC. Surveys conducted in the Upper Menderes Basin have revealed that the mountainous and plateau areas are at least as densely settled as in lowland sections and these areas have significant importance in archaeological point of view. An intensive archaeological survey was conducted in order to find answers on Höyük settlements. Therefore, The Middle and Late Bronze Age ceramics which were found in the settlement area were evaluated from archaeological and archaeometric perspective. These ceramics were characterized by using typological evaluations, optical microscopy and X-Ray Fluorescence analyses (XRF). Analogical evaluations shown that the settlement’s interregional relations reach from Central Anatolian to the West Anatolian shores, but the local features known from Beycesultan are prominent. Archaeometric analyses revealed that the Middle and Late Bronze Age ceramics contain metamorphic rock fragments and very abundant carbonate. Small and fine quartz grains, a small amount of pyroxene and plagioclase minerals and abundant carbonate are observed in these samples. The results obtained from the intensive survey supported the idea that the importance of the settlements in the mountainous and plateau areas increased after the decline seen in the region in 16th century BC. © 2020, University of AEGEAN. All rights reserved.