The Domuztepe project
Project leader: Dr Stuart Campbell
(University of Manchester), Alexandra
Fletcher (British Museum)
Department: Middle East
Project start: July 2008
Project end: September 2012
Other British Museum staff: Sarahi Naidorf,
Rachel Swift
Other departments: Conservation and Scientific
Research
Project funded by:
The British
Museum
The British Institute at Ankara
University of Manchester
External partners: Dr Stuart Campbell, University
of Manchester
Description:
The archaeological excavation of a Late Neolithic
settlement in south-central Turkey.
Domuztepe is
currently being excavated by the University of Manchester and the
British Museum under the sponsorship of the British Institute at
Ankara. This archaeological site is located in south-central Turkey
and is the largest known example of a settlement from the Late
Neolithic (around 6,500-5,500 BC). This was a key period of change
in prehistory, after the development of agriculture and prior to
the emergence of the earliest cities. Although other large sites
from this period are known, none have been extensively
excavated.
Understanding the transition between village
and urban societies is highly relevant today as, for the first time
in history, more people are now believed to be living in cities
than in rural areas. The Middle East is where agriculture (around
9,500 BC) an
d
cities emerged (around 3,500 BC). Much less is known about how
societies developed between these two milestones, and research at
Domuztepe will significantly help to close this knowledge gap.
Large areas have been excavated accompanied by
detailed analysis of the finds recovered. Between 1997 and 2003 a
highly complex burial was excavated, called the ‘Death Pit’. The
burial probably took place over a few weeks and had several phases.
The earliest layer was mainly animal bones, apparently from large
scale feasting. Later deposits included the remains of up to 40
people. The bodies had been heavily fragmented and cannibalism may
have taken place. After the Death Pit was filled, it was covered in
a thick layer of ash and marked with large posts. Further deposits
of human remains were placed around its e
dges.
Objectives:
The Domuztepe project seeks to understand the social organisation
of one of the largest known (20 hectares), pre-urban, Middle
Eastern sites. Successful excavation of a large site is a long-term
commitment and the excavation strategy has been revised each
year in accordance with findings.
Our main focus has been on excavation at the
site itself. In particular examining the organisation of
architecture, open space and boundaries within the settlement,
alongside investigations of ritual practices and usage of plants,
animals and artefacts. Increasingly we are also looking at the
relationship between the site and its local environment as well as
its links to more distant regions.
Further information:
News:
Publications:
S. Campbell, ‘Domuztepe’ Anatolian Archaeology 4, 1998,
4-5
S. Campbell ‘Emerging complexity on the
Kahramanmaras Plain, Turkey: The Domuztepe Project 1995-1997’ with
E. Carter, E. Healey, S. Anderson, A. Kennedy & S. Whitcher
American Journal of Archaeology 103, 1999, 395-418
E. Carter, ‘Excavations and survey at
Domuztepe, 1996’, with S. Campbell & J. Snead Anatolia
Antiqua 7 1999, 1-17
S. W. Kansa ‘Feasting with the dead? - a
ritual bone deposit at Domuztepe, south e
astern Turkey
(c. 5550 cal BC)’ with S. Campbell in Behaviour behind bones
the zooarchaeology of ritual, religion, status and identity.
(ed) S. J. O'Day, W. van Neer and A. Ervynck International
Council of Archaeozoology; Durham. Oxbow, 2002, 2-13
S. Campbell ‘Domuztepe 2003’ Anatolian
Archaeology 9, 2003, 4-6
E. Carter, ‘Elusive Complexity : New Data from
late Halaf Domuztepe in South Central Turkey’ with S. Campbell
& S. Gauld Paléorient 29(2), 2003, 117-133
S. Campbell ‘Domuztepe 2004 excavation season’
Anatolian Archaeology 10, 2004 4-6
S. Campbell ‘Domuztepe 2005’, Anatolian
Archaeology 11, 2005, 4-7
S. Campbell ‘Domuztepe 2006’ Anatolian
Archaeology 12, 2006, 17-18
S. Campbell (ed) Domuztepe Excavations
Volume I with (ed) E.Carter Los Angeles, Cotsen
Institute of Archaeology, University of California at Los Angeles,
in press.
Images (from top):
- The main excavation
area
- Stone figurine in the shape of a
ram’s head
- Hollow female figure painted with
bands of dots; possibly representing jewellery
- The Death Pit during excavation in
1999
- Headless figurine found in the
Death Pit