Contents

BLIMP PHOTOGRAPHY OF OTHER SITES IN THE PROVINCE

A number of sites within the province of Yozgat were photographed by the Kerkenes Dag survey for other projects. We were very pleased to be able to photograph the EBA site at Mercimek Tepe, in the suburbs of Yozgat itself; for the Director of Yozgat Museum, Mr. Musa Ozcan, who has been excavating this important and interesting settlement for several years. We were also able to photograph the famous site of Alişar Höyük (Fig. 28) for Dr. Ron Gorny and his team who have begun a series of new campaigns at the site in an attempt to answer many of the outstanding problems that are central to an understanding of the archaeology of the Anatolian Plateau.

Dr. Gorny and his team began work at a new site, Çadır Höyük, in 1994, in advance of a new man-made lake, and we were also able to take most excellent photographs of that site both as a permanent record and as an aid to the new research.

For one site it was almost too late. The site of Cemah Höyük (Figs 29 and 30) is already partly submerged and will disappear altogether this winter. In order to take detailed photographs of the excavations carried out by the Yozgat Museum it was necessary to engage in water sports. Although the water was still shallow the soft soil of the mound turned into soft fine mud so that our attempts to paddle with the blimp were thwarted. An inflatable dingy provided a damp but more comfortable means of access. The high part of the mound or citadel is surrounded by water and the excavation trenches can be seen in the center. Part of the outer town is still above water at the bottom of the picture and extends a little below the line of the modern road.

Ortaköy

Professor and Dr. Süel (Ankara University and the General Directorate of Antiquities) are excavating a very important Imperial Hittite center at Ortaköy, in the province of comm some little way to the north of us. We were delighted to be able answer their request to take blimp photographs of the excavations and, from greater altitude, the whole of the site. The photographs will be of great help to this exciting and very important excavation which has produced more than 2,000 clay tablets (written texts) and will figure prominently in the published account.

Interest generated by the project in the region

Awareness of Turkey’s cultural heritage is increasing in the Yozgat region, not least because of perceived tourist potential. It is essential that any development of Kerkenes Dag as a tourist attraction is completely sympathetic to setting and beauty of the site and that mistakes made at other places in Turkey are avoided. On the other hand, an increase in the awareness of the mportance of the site is perhaps the only way in which it can be protected from mechanized stone robbing for new buildings in nearby villages and the growing town of Sorgun, and from the depravations of treasure seekers. The Provincial and District Governors have shown continuous interest and provided valuable support to all aspects of the project (Fig. 32).