The Archaeological Excavation and Research Project of Ekşi Höyük Neolithic and Chalcolithic Layers
Project no. 563 · Status: Kapanmış · 2017
Summary
Ekşi Höyük Excavations were initiated following the results obtained from the surface surveys conducted in the Upper Menderes Basin. Ekşi Höyük is one of the identified seventeen settlements which were settled during Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic periods. The fact that Ekşi Höyük was not resettled farther than the 13th century cemetery area after the Early Chalcolithic period enabled the Early Chalcolithic and Neolithic layers to be reached just below the surface of the settlement. Although the layers belonging to the Early Chalcolithic period have been destroyed due to being close to surface and agricultural activities carried out on the mound for many years, they have been preserved in narrow areas. The data obtained show that this layer is represented by structures with rectangular plans, stone foundations and mud-brick bodies. Pottery traditions are represented by paint decorated and monochrome pottery groups known in the literature as Hacılar ceramics, which are intensely seen especially in the settlements of the Lakes Region. The Neolithic period layers of the settlement are represented by lime-based structures with rectangular plans in the 7th and 6th layers. Except for a few examples, there are no ceramics found in these layers. The 5th and 4a-b layers, which we can define as Late Neolithic Period layers, are represented by rectangular and apsidal structures. Numerous data on bones, terracotta and stone tool production were obtained from these structures. The pottery of this period is generally represented by monochrome pottery with red and brown exterior surface colors. All these architectural and small finds summarized within the scope of the project were evaluated and reported.