From the Neolithic to the end of Early Bronze Age: developments in the construction of entrance gates and city walls at settlements in Burdur (Turkey) and the surrounding region

The excavations at Hacılar carried out by James Mellaart in Burdur in the second half of the 1950s were a starting point for prehistoric archaeology in the Burdur–Antalya Region (Ancient Pisidia). Almost two decades later excavations took place at Kuruçay Höyük (1978–1988), followed by excavations at the Hacılar necropolis (1985-1986), excavations at Höyücek (1989–1992) and Bademağacı Höyük (1993–2010), and excavations at Hacılar Büyük Höyük that began in 2011 and are still in progress. The first examples of fortified settlements in the region can be traced back to the Early Neolithic Period. The centres mentioned in this article represent very significant stages in both the development of defence architecture in the region and also in our understanding of the process of urbanisation in Anatolia. The earliest defence models were later replaced by more complex systems, such as the casemate and saw-tooth defence system seen in the EBA I settlement at Hacılar Büyük Höyük, and the arrangement of adjacent megarons in a row for the purpose of defence in the EBA II settlement at Bademağacı. The first example of a ‘Gate Building’ model in Anatolia is the Eastern Gate in level 6A at Kuruçay, which consists of a gateway between two casemates/ towers. The development of this type of gate can be seen in the Western Gate and the Southern Gate at Hacılar Büyük Höyük

Observations on some finds with religious symbolism from the Early Bronze Age I settlement at Hacılar Büyük Höyük

Excavations that started in 2011 at Hacılar Büyük Höyük, which is located 27 km southwest of Burdur, are still in progess. The EBA I settlement at the site consists of a strong defence system, which extends on a south to north axis in the western part of the mound, and some civilian buildings in the area closer to the centre of the settlement. No temple has yet been uncovered here but it is expected that, in the unexcavated central sections of the mound, not only sacred buildings but also some public buildings and a palace or ruler’s residence are likely to be found. Although no specific sacred architectural building in the form of temple has yet been found, some religious symbols have been uncovered in the form of unusual architectural remains and non-portables, such as stelae. In addition to these, some items that seem to symbolise religious beliefs and are thought to have been used in religious ceremonies, including a special purpose juglet, a pedestalled vessel, a pithos fragment with a depiction of a birth scene on it, and idols and pubis models related to belief in the Mother Goddess, were found in situ inside the houses or in areas near the stelae and in the courtyards of the casemates

Some remarks on the Early Bronze Age I defence system at Hacilar Buyuk Hoyuk (Burdur, Turkey)

Hacilar Buyuk Hoyuk is located 27 km southwest of Burdur near the eponymous village of Hacilar. Forty of the building units (casemates) that form a carefully pre-planned multi- defence system with "saw-tooth" protrusions and two city gates have been uncovered in the western half of the city. Hacilar Buyuk Hoyuk must have been the centre of a strong local kingdom at the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC, and would have controlled the village settlements in the surrounding region that made a living through agriculture, animal husbandry and trade on a small scale. The urban layout uncovered in the past nine years of excavations and the dimensions and ostentatious appearance of the defence system display qualities that have so far not been seen at any other centre

A study of the dating of new groups of pottery from Bademağacı Höyük and some reflections on the Late Chalcolithic cultures of southwestern Anatolia

Umurtak Gülsün. A study of the dating of new groups of pottery from Bademağacı Höyük and some reflections on the Late Chalcolithic cultures of southwestern Anatolia. In: Anatolia Antiqua, Tome 13, 2005. pp. 53-69

Observations on some finds with religious symbolism from the Early Bronze Age I settlement at Hacılar Büyük Höyük

Excavations that started in 2011 at Hacılar Büyük Höyük, which is located 27 km southwest of Burdur, are still in progess. The EBA I settlement at the site consists of a strong defence system, which extends on a south to north axis in the western part of the mound, and some civilian buildings in the area closer to the centre of the settlement. No temple has yet been uncovered here but it is expected that, in the unexcavated central sections of the mound, not only sacred buildings but also some public buildings and a palace or ruler’s residence are likely to be found. Although no specific sacred architectural building in the form of temple has yet been found, some religious symbols have been uncovered in the form of unusual architectural remains and non-portables, such as stelae. In addition to these, some items that seem to symbolise religious beliefs and are thought to have been used in religious ceremonies, including a special purpose juglet, a pedestalled vessel, a pithos fragment with a depiction of a birth scene on it, and idols and pubis models related to belief in the Mother Goddess, were found in situ inside the houses or in areas near the stelae and in the courtyards of the casemates

Some remarks on the Early Bronze Age I defence system at Hacılar Büyük Höyük (Burdur, Turkey)

Hacılar Büyük Höyük is located 27 km southwest of Burdur near the eponymous village of Hacılar. Forty of the building units (casemates) that form a carefully pre-planned multi- defence system with “saw-tooth” protrusions and two city gates have been uncovered in the western half of the city. Hacılar Büyük Höyük must have been the centre of a strong local kingdom at the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC, and would have controlled the village settlements in the surrounding region that made a living through agriculture, animal husbandry and trade on a small scale. The urban layout uncovered in the past nine years of excavations and the dimensions and ostentatious appearance of the defence system display qualities that have so far not been seen at any other centre