Hacilar

A small but important site in the lake region of southwest Turkey, with a Late Neolithic and early Chalcolithic (c 5600-4500 BC). The aceramic early levels have some radiocarbon dates in the 7th millennium BC. The houses were of mudbrick or wood and daub on stone foundations, with an upper story of wood. They were finished internally in plaster, rarely painted. Crops included barley, emmer, and lentils and bones of sheep, deer, and cattle were also found. The site was abandoned and reoccupied in the Late Neolithic, early in the 6th millennium BC, when it had more substantial houses, monochrome red to brown pottery, and some use of copper. Querns, mortars and braziers were fitted into mud plaster floors, while recesses in the walls acted as cupboards. The kitchen was separated from the living rooms and upper stories were used as granaries and workshops. Female figurines of a unique style were also made. The latest phase of this period was burnt c 5400 BC and when the site was reoccupied it was smaller; this settlement was also burnt c 5050-5000 BC. The Hacilar (Chalcolithic) period had a fortified settlement, characterized by boldly painted red on white pottery.

A Neolithic and Chalcolithic tell site in southwest Anatolia. The earliest settlement, of the 7th millennium be, was an Aceramic Neolithic village, based on the cultivation of emmer wheat, barley and lentils; it is not clear whether animals were also reared. The site was abandoned and reoccupied in the Late Neolithic, early in the 6th millennium be. The new settlement had substantial rectangular mud-brick houses with doorways. Querns, mortars and braziers were fitted into mud plaster floors, while recesses in the walls acted as cupboards. The kitchen was separated from the living rooms and upper storeys were used as granaries and workshops. Pottery of a high quality developed from light grey and cream colours to red and brown monochrome wares; rare painted decoration occurred. Female figurines of a unique style were also made. The latest phase of this period was burnt <5400 be and when the site was reoccupied it was smaller; houses now had courtyards attached and workshops were of a different design. This settlement was also burnt <5050-5000 be and the Chalcolithic settlement that replaced it was defended by a perimeter wall. Inside were houses, a guardhouse, three potters’ workshops and two possible shrines. Fine painted wares, predominantly in red on cream, characterize this phase.