Girmeler encompasses two caves with extensive galleries and a mound in front of the caves. The site is strategically located near a natural hot spring, which likely served as a focal point for the community. Radiocarbon dating suggests continuous habitation from as early as the twelfth millennium BCE, with the site transitioning into a hub for Neolithic agricultural practices around 8200 BCE.

Discovering the Special Buildings

The term "special buildings" refers to structures distinguished by their unique architectural features and symbolic purposes. At Girmeler, archaeologists uncovered three such buildings, notable for their terrazzo floors adorned with red-painted geometric motifs. These buildings were likely gathering spaces for rituals and communal activities, contributing to social cohesion and memory-making within the community.

1. Building 1: This quadrangular structure measures approximately 6-7 meters in length and 4 meters in width. Its terrazzo floor, made of burnt lime mixed with stone particles, features intricate red-painted motifs. Remarkably, the building also contained a burial pit, suggesting its use in funerary practices. The placement of human remains, including a young adult female and an adolescent cranium, echoes similar practices observed at Çatalhöyük.

2. Building 2: Located south of Building 1, this structure was partially destroyed during modern construction. Despite the damage, its terrazzo floor, thicker than that of Building 1, preserved red-painted checkerboard and geometric patterns. Artifacts such as a polished stone axe and flint bladelets were discovered, indicating the building's ceremonial importance.

3. Building 3: The smallest of the three, Building 3, measures approximately 3.5 meters on each side. Its terrazzo floor featured diamond-shaped and linear painted motifs. The presence of early pottery sherds alongside the floor suggests its role in transitional Neolithic practices.

Image: Image-based 3D model of three special buildings located side by side. Erdoğu, B., Korkut, T., Takaoğlu, T., Yücel, N., Usanmaz, U. O., & Derici, Y. C. (2024).

Significance and Insights

The discovery of these buildings enriches our understanding of Neolithic societies in southwest Anatolia. The use of painted terrazzo floors is a rare architectural feature, previously noted at sites like Ekşi Höyük and Aşıklı Höyük. These decorative elements likely held symbolic significance, potentially representing concepts of life, fertility, and community.

The placement of the Girmeler buildings near a natural hot spring also underscores the site's importance as a ritualistic and social center. Hot springs, often viewed as sacred, may have attracted semi-sedentary groups, facilitating gatherings and cultural exchange.

The special buildings at Girmeler highlight the ingenuity and social complexity of Neolithic communities in Anatolia. They served not only as physical spaces but as active participants in the creation of social memories and identities. As excavations continue, Girmeler promises to reveal even more about the early chapters of human civilization in this region.