Two important late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic sites near Afyonkarahi·sar: Eyi·ce and Pani· Mounds

Abstract

A number of Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic sites have been recovered during recent surface surveys carried out along the fringes of western Anatolia, considerably contributing to our understanding of the cultural happenings that took place in this region. In this respect, the finds from the Eyice Mound located to the northwest of Sinanpaşa, west of Afyonkarahisar deserve a special attention. The site is located on the natural route heading towards Kütahya. The mound yielded not only the typical painted pottery of the Lakes District to the south, but also the purplish red or brown painted pottery groups of the so-called Aslanapa Culture known from the northern parts of Afyon and the entire extent of the Kütahya province. Aslanapa type of pottery has also been collected from the Pani Mound situated in the west of Bolvadin. Thus, it became clear that the distribution area of the Aslanapa Culture extended further to the east to cover Bolvadin, east of Afyonkarahisar.