Preliminary Report 1997

Contents

APPENDIX 1

REPORTS ON SELECTED ASPECTS OF THE 1997 SURVEY

Geoffrey Summers

1. THE NORTH-EAST OR SINOP GATE

During the survey of the city defences in 1997 a new gate was discovered at the eastern end of the north-east section of city wall, immediately north-west of the sharp eastern turn (Fig. 10). The gate was previously unrecognised because, like other gates at Kerkenes, the large face stones of the passage walls had fallen into and blocked the passage itself Later and modern reuse of the gate has entailed the clearance of paths and tractor tracks over the towers and city wall either side of the passage, and the dumping of more stone into the passage itself.

The gate is at the north-eastern end of the major street that runs from the southern, "Cappadocia Gate". The size and strength of the North-East Gate are an indication of its importance. The route out from the gate leads directly northwards and traces of a road may be extant in along the hillside before vanishing into the Sahmurath Koy vineyards. Beyond the gate is a square or rectangular enclosure that appears to be contemporaneous with the city. There may also have been a spring immediately outside the gate, now obliterated by the modern village road.
The plan of the gate is simple. An Sm wide passage is flanked by two rectangular towers projecting out from the face of the city wall. The southern tower also projects about lm inside the line of the inner face of the city wall. Neither tower is an exact rectangle, both measure around 6.40 by 10.00m. The northern tower and stretch of city wall stand much higher than the southern, reflecting the underlying outcrops of bed-rock over and around which the gate was constructed. The sections of the city wall either side of the gate do not quite line up, which was compensated for by the interior projection of the southern tower. The outer face of the city wall and the towers are, as everywhere, enveloped by a stone rampart faced with uncut granite slabs. The line of the gate passage continues through the glacis, an architectural device which was not used, for instance, on the west gate where the glacis clearly continues around three sides of both towers. If the passage was 8m wide for the whole length it would seem unlikely that the city wall could have been carried over it, thus it can be postulated that part of the passage was restricted. There is no evidence for the position or number of doors.

2. THE WATER GATE

The Water Gate planned in detail (Fig. 11). There is now considerable doubt that the extraordinary elaboration of the defences at this weak point do in fact represent a gate. If a passage did exist it would have been on the east side of the stream where there is not sufficient space to permit more than foot traffic to pass through. The stream, which flowed through a corbelled stone structure within the city wall, debouched into a large stone walled reservoir immediately beyond the wall. The form of the towers that flank the reservoir appear to be peculiar to this section of the defences. The external stone glacis, not shown on Fig. 11, appears not to have extended between the towers and was compensated for by the construction of a glacis inside. Schmidt though that there was a gate here and in 1928 dug a test trench against the south-east corner of the internal glacis in the hope of uncovering a sculptured lion.

3. THE WEST GATE

Detailed planning of the West Gate (Fig. 12) revealed that the stone glacis extended around three sides of the gate towers but not, apparently, along the sides of the gate passage. This represents a different architectural solution to the problem of joining a sloping façade to vertical elements of the gate structure to that seen in the North-East gate (Fig. 10). Presumably the passage was somehow narrowed in order to carry the superstructure over the top, and there were presumably jambs for gates, but the mass of rubble that has collapsed into the passage has obscured these architectural details.

4. OTHER GATES

Plans of the other 5 gates have been drawn up for publication. The "Cappadocia Gate" is shown on Figs 7 and 8, a stone plan of the East Gate is too large for convenient inclusion here. The "Goz Baba Gate", South-West Gate and North Gate are so obscured by rubble and later modification by tumuli and shepherds constructions that it has only been possible to draw block plans which have not been included here for want of space.

5. THE PUBLIC ZONE

The high southern zone of the city, along the ridge between the "GOz Baba Gate" and the terraces on the north-western slopes below the Kale (Figs 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) display an integrated concept of urban design and city planning on a scale commensurate with the ambitious foundation, layout and construction of the city. The descriptions that follow are based on a combination of ground survey and observation, interpretation of balloon photographs and geomagnetic mapping of sub-surface features. There has necessarily been a considerable degree of interpretation in deciding what to include and exclude from the plans and in deciding how much can be reconstructed with a reasonable degree of confidence. Field records contain more information and a greater differentiation between levels of confidence than limitations of space and graphics allow here. Both recording in the field and, to a greater extent, drawing of the current plans, have been consciously and unconsciously influenced by our understanding of what the extant remains represent, and by the need to present results that are coherent and intelligible. Research is still in progress: geomagnetic maps will add considerable clarity and detail, test trenches will provide evidence for function and additional architectural information. Thus the results presented here are interim and will require much expansion and some modification as the project moves into its next phase. On the other hand, it is thought that they will not require substantial revision and that the broad interpretation is essentially correct, however slight the evidence on which it is based.

The Suluklu Gol

Description
The Suluklu Gol, Leech Pond, is an artificial stone-lined reservoir also known as the At Gol, Horse Pond (Summers eta!. 1996, 216 & n. 23). It lies within a larger walled compound into which geophysical survey and ground observation have not yet revealed an entrance. The pool itself is rectilinear, measuring c. 32 by 56m Probing with a hand auger in 1993 established that it contains about 1 .OOm of silt, making the total original depth some 3m with a total capacity of c.5376m3. Today it is fed by a spring to the south-west, much altered in recent times and consequently now normally dry by the end of August. The location of the original spring is uncertain and may well have been within the pool itself which has a naturally sandy bottom. Doubtless recent modification has lowered the water table and it can safely be assumed that with proper management there was sufficient water available to keep the pool full throughout a normal summer. It is also likely that other sources of water, including run-off from surrounding complexes to the east, south and west, helped to maintain the water level and some features seen on the geophysical map running obtusely across the street to the south channelled rain water into it.

The pool would seem to have been created by enlarging and squaring off a natural feature and construction of a dam with a central sluice on the northern side and the north-eastern and north-western corners. The dam comprises two parallel walls, presumably with water impervious clay between them, and a large bank that both supported the walls and reduced seepage. The other three sides have vertical walls and there is a sloping face of uncut granite around all four sides, constructed in the same manner as the glacis around the city defences and the façade of the "Palace Complex". There is no evidence of steps or ramps down into the pool, but such might have existed.

Interpretation
The position of the enclosure and the pool is such that it would seem to have formed a focal feature for the public complexes to the east, south and north. If this is indeed the case it implies a concept of planning and use of urban space on an imperial scale. Since the original height of the enclosure walls has not yet been established, it is not possible to assess how visible or secluded the pool would have been. Construction was evidently lavish since the much larger BUyuk Gol, in the centre of the lower part of the city, and other artificial reservoirs elsewhere in the urban confines, were not stone lined. Clearly, the Suluklu Gol was something more than a utilitarian reservoir. Beyond that simple observation it would be imprudent to venture.

The "Palace Complex"

Location
The complex occupies a gently sloping area on the high ridge towards the southern end of the city, some 280m west of the southern or "Cappadocia Gate" and is more or less orientated east—west. The approach to what appears on the geomagnetic map to have been a spacious open area in front of the monumental façade seems to have been via a broad street leading from the street node inside the "Cappadocia Gate". On approaching the palace complex the street divides to run along each of the long sides, that on the north eventually broadening out into a plaza-like public space before veering off south-westwards to the "Goz Baba Gate".

The south-eastern end of the complex thus afforded a view over the stone-lined pool and the public buildings beyond. From elevated points within the complex the northern Cappadocian plain could have been observed with, on clear days, Mount Erciyes in the far distance.

Somewhere close to the complex façade was the perennial spring that fed, and still feeds, the stone-lined pool. This source of water has been affected by recent attempts to tap further and deeper into the source and today the spring is dry by late summer.

The obvious advantages of the position (good communications, splendid views, fresh water) can be countered with a conspicuous disadvantage, exposure to inclement and sometimes fearful weather.

Description
The plan and reconstructed profile (Fig. 14a and 14b) are based on observation and recording of extant features on the ground and balloon photographs, combined with a. geomagnetic map of a single 20 x 20m grid and subsequent (1996) limited exposure in Test Trench 17. Understanding the surface remains is problematic for several reasons, including modification by the construction of later tumuli and shepherd’s shelters, the ruinous state of the stone walls and, as revealed by the Test Trench, that much of the architecture is not visible on the surface. A further significant problem is that some structures within the complex might have risen two or more stories and perhaps had basements. The plan presented here contains those elements which could be measured with a high degree of confidence; solid lines represent clear walls where in places both faces could be seen, open lines represent extensions of walls indicated by surface features, single lines represent apparent wall lines without visible faces. The profile is a diagram that represents an attempt to understand, interpret and impose minimal reconstruction on the visible remains at the north-eastern end of the complex, and is more subjective than the plan. The overall character of the complex has thus been recovered, further elucidation of structures will require a combination of further geophysical mapping and test excavation.

The complex is enclosed by a substantial wall, some 2.Om wide, along the northern, western and southern sides. Total length of the complex is c. 250.Om, width at the west end 56.Om and maximum width 80.Om. The south-east corner is enigmatic, in part because of later use by shepherds and tumulus construction. The east end is monumental, comprising a sloping façade of neatly fitted uncut granite slabs retaining rubble fill, in the same technique as that used for the city defences. The façade slopes upwards at an angle of around 4O~45o, being preserved to a height of c. 1. 5m. If the back (west) wall of the façade was 1 .O-2.Om wide, the original sloping face would have attained a height of some 7.5m. Bed-rock outcrops at the base of the northern portion which, together with the sloping façade and marked differences in height, presumably reflect large outcrops of bed-rock that were incorporated into a monumental architectural scheme. Reconstruction of the façade presents many problems. At the north-west corner the sloping face continues round to join the north wall, presumably becoming gradually steeper until it reaches the vertical. There is a similar arrangement at the south-east corner where the sloping face presumably butts up against the substantial angled wall of which only the lower courses are preserved. In the centre of the façade the sloping faces can be seen to turn inwards either side of a space some 9m wide. The facing disappears into a confused mass of loose stone which most probably fills an entrance passage and that could conceal a monumental staircase or ramp. Alternatively, and perhaps less probably, the sloping façade is continuous between the two buttresses. If there is indeed a monumental entrance through the façade it may originally have led directly to an upper floor room above the extant walls seen on the ground.

If the entrance to the complex was not in the centre of the monumental façade it must have been in the eastern end of the southern wall where today there are large and conspicuous gaps either side of the high rubble ruins: there is little in favour of an entrance in either of these gaps and it is more likely that the apparent spaces are the result of later clearance of stone for tumulus and other construction.

Inside the south-eastern corner lies a group of rooms the preserved walls of which are at a substantially higher level than the surrounding area. Only the northernmost wall can be clearly ascertained amongst the confusion of rubble and the wall lines, as reconstructed from the linear heaps of stone, appear to form very irregular rooms. The preserved height of the stone walls probably indicates at least two stories. The irregularity has probably been exaggerated by the way in which the walls have collapsed into the rooms and by later modification by shepherds and perhaps tumulus construction; nevertheless, the irregularity does appear to be real and may well reflect the incorporation of out-cropping bed-rock into the structures.

The remainder of the interior of the complex is divided up into more or less rectangular units. The main north—south walls that demarcate these interior divisions also mark rises in elevation from east to west, presumably dictated by rises in the underlying terrain. The larger spaces are subdivided into smaller units some of which are square or rectilinear. In the northwestern sectors wall lines of actual buildings are indicated by ridges of rubble. Individual monumental buildings are not discernible amongst the surface remains.

Identfication and Interpretation
The monumental nature of the complex, especially the façade at the eastern end, the size and the location, distinguish this complex from others within the city. The absence of entrances through the well preserved enclosure walls into the central and western sectors of the complex could be taken as evidence in favour of a unified function and a progression from public at the front (east) end to more restricted elements at the west end. Further, the complex appears to form part of a larger planned area of public buildings. This combination of factors makes it likely that the complex was palatial. It can be assumed that the city would have contained a palatial complex of some sort and no better candidate has been recognised. Positive proof of the identification is, however, lacking, making further geophysical survey, clearance of the monumental façade and perhaps further test excavation a priority in future research design.

The term palatial is a functional one that in the Ancient Near East implies, at the minimum, the residence of a ruler or governor (in this case presumably a Median Satrap), his family and staff (e.g. retainers, servants, bodyguard, slaves), a public audience chamber and administrative units.

The plan suggests some overall concept of the use of space within the complex, but also displays surprising irregularity and informality. From the Test Trench it is clear that there was more than one phase of construction, giving rise to the possibility that the original conception may have been altered over time by the addition of new structures. The complex is without known parallel.

The "Military Area"

This is a large, mostly level and roughly triangular area immediately inside the city wall on the west side of the "Cappadocia Gate" and south of the road leading to the "Palace Complex", with a commanding view over the Cappadocia Plain. The plan presented here is a revised version of that in Summers et a!. 1996, 211 Fig. 3. Differences and refinements are obvious, representing an increased ability to recognise walls and improved processing and interpretation of geophysical data. The overall nature of the area has, however, been apparent since the first (1993) field season and was one of the main reasons for selecting this part of the site for the initial geophysical survey.

Access was probably directly from the "Cappadocia Gate" at the east end of the area and at the south-east corner. Evidence is obscured by outcrops of bed-rock and the construction of later tumuli, shelters and pens that make it impossible to see the exact relationship between the city gate and the complex. No entrances can be determined in the long, c. 367.Om northern wall. A natural depression, formed by a fissure in the bed-rock, runs along the inside edge of the city wall. This depression is devoid of visible ancient structures although it does contain a number of relatively recent (?Ottoman) two-roomed shelters and attendant animal pens constructed in the relative shelter between the city wall and the rock outcrop.
The highest part of the complex, Structure I, was enclosed by sinuous and poorly preserved walls, VIII and IX, that made the best use of the rock outcrops and retained terraces. Atop the outcrop was a structure of obvious importance, too little of which remains for a coherent plan to be recovered.

Complex II, some 3m lower than Structure I, comprises several distinct units, A-I, with an annex on the east, unit J. The complex is divided into two equal portions by a central east—west wall, the southern half containing units A-C, the northern composed of units D-I. Unit A is a spacious open area that contains a shallow reservoir quarried out of the rock. This shallow pool today holds water until late spring, but there is no obvious source apart from run-off The pool was unfinished, evidenced by its irregularity and shallowness. The south-west corner of the complex contains a pair of adjacent rectangular rooms that, if not sub-divided, would have required roof beams capable of spanning 1 lm. The northern half of the complex displays some symmetry. It is tempting to reconstruct two open units, D and I, flanking a central block, units F, G and perhaps H. A narrow corridor or passage, E, connected areas D and I. None of the walls of this complex appear to stand more than a couple of courses above bedrock. Units F—H are full of stone rubble apparently from the pool and probably intended to form a level base for a raised floor. No indication of collapsed superstructure is apparent, nor are there indications of burning. The whole complex thus appears to have been unfinished.
The line of the central partition in Structure II is extended westwards to the south end of Structure V by Wall VII, and eastwards from Unit J to Structure III by Wall VIII. The north wall of Structure II is extended east by Wall X. Structure III comprises, so far as can be seen, a terrace of three square rooms each measuring approximately 8.5 by 12.Om. The area to the north of Structures IL, III, VII and X is flat and fairly level with bed-rock visible in many places. It seems to have been devoid of buildings apart from Structure IV.

Structure IV is tripartite and measures 41.0 by 14.Om.. The four outer walls are of stone and clearly visible on the surface, but the pair of internal cross walls, 5.Om apart, can only be seen on the geomagnetic map where they appear to be much fainter and of very different character to other walls. Immediately outside at either end of the eastern partition wall the magnetic map shows a pair of opposing high spots which are difficult to interpret.

Structure V forms the western boundary of the Area, beyond which the ground falls steeply away to the west. It comprises a unit some 72.Om long and 8.Om wide. There are some surface indications that cross walls divided it into sub-units or rooms, but the evidence is ambiguous. The space between the extant wall tops is filled with rubble and there is a certain amount of stone collapse to either side. Some of the stone in the interior may be levelling for floors that have not survived or were never laid. There is no evidence for burnt wall or roof amongst the stone rubble. The north end has been denuded by stone robbing for tumulus construction.

Structure VI is enigmatic, represented by a poorly preserved stretch of wall between Structure V and the north wall of the Area. It is possible that the wall extended further to the east or that it turned southwards to enclose Structure IV, but nothing can be distinguished amongst the spread of stones and exposed bed-rock. Structure VI is of a different character to Structure V. being much less prominent because it is not so well preserved and lacks the collapsed stone.

Identification and Interpretation
The Area is unlike any other within the city and was surely a public complex. Interpretation of the function is circumstantial and, because of the poor preservation, not likely to be significantly supplemented by further research. The arguments for a military function are set out below. Other possibilities exist, palatial, cultic, administrative, but these seem less probable.

The urban space occupied by these structures would have been highly desirable given its proximity to the "Cappadocia" Gate, its position within the "Public Zone", the commanding view southwards and access to the main streets within the city and the (incomplete) street around the inner face of the city wall. It can thus be assumed that the space was assigned a special function at the time of the city’s foundation and that construction began soon thereafter. There is evidence that some or all of the complexes were unfinished. Since the city defences were unfinished, in that the intended mud-brick wall was never built, it could be argued that there was a functional, and thus military, link between the area under discussion and the city wall.

Much of the area is level and empty, and could have provided space for the assembly of people, animals, equipment and goods. Plans of individual structures are without known parallel and thus of little help in determining function.

The Streets

Immediately inside the "Cappadocia Gate" was an open space, later occupied by a small Byzantine complex, in front of a T junction. From the junction one street led northwards, above the Terrace Structures and around the edge of slopes below the Kale before dividing to each of the two easternmost gates in the north-eastern section of city wall. The other street ran from the East (Ecbatana) Gate westwards between the stone circle on the south and the imposing structure on the slopes above and to the north, passed the Terrace Structures, "Polo Field" and Suluklu Gol on one side and the "Military Area" on the other, before reaching the open space in front of the "Palace" façade where it split and continued either side of the "Palace Complex". Between the "Cappadocia Gate" and the "Palace" façade the south side of the street was lined by the long and continuous wall that formed the north boundary of the "Military Area". There appears to be sufficient fallen stone from this wall to suggest that it rose high enough above the street to deny observation. On the other side there were also walled enclosures along the street side which could also have stood to a considerable height. The street, though some 8.5m wide, would have been sheltered from wind and, depending on the height of the walls, from sun.

Interpretation
If the concept of a wide street sheltered by high walls on both sides is correct, the façade of the "palace" would have been hidden from view until near the street end. The element of surprise would have enhanced the impact of monumental façade. Perhaps, too, some of the features that appear to cross the Street on the magnetic map represent the existence of gates that would have restricted access. One curious feature of the city is the absence of inner defences or a defended acropolis, but perhaps the long streets bounded by high and blank walls, possibly blocked by gates, provided a different defensive solution whereby attackers who had penetrated the outer defences would find themselves confused and liable to be trapped.

The Stone Circle

Between the "Cappadocia Gate" and the "East Gate" is a large circle, 50.Om in diameter enclosed by a wall some 3. 50m thick composed of large slabs of granite set on edge. The circle slopes downwards to the south, respecting both the inner face of the city wall and the southern edge of the Street. The heights of the Kale offer protection from the prevailing wind, as does the slope of the circle itself Resistivity survey conducted in 1993 failed to reveal any internal features. A Byzantine burial ground, known as the "Cemetery of the Martyrs", runs over the north-eastern part of circle wall and reused much of the stone.

Interpretation
The monumentality, construction method, respect for the line of the city wall and, especially, the line of the street, and the absence of underlying features make it certain that the circle was an integral part of the Iron Age city plan. The Byzantine graves preclude a more recent date. The position, on a sheltered slope between two gates and across the street from a large complex that was perhaps administrative, is suggestive. One possible interpretation is a pound for pack animals. The size and the exceptional thickness of the wall could suggest that it was designed for camels. The slope would not have been suitable for riding, breaking in or training animals. The circle may also have been intended for military use and just possibly for military camels (Herod. 1.80).

The "Polo Field"

The "Polo Field" (Fig.13) is a broad flat area, maximum dimensions 75.0 by 138.Om, more or less opposite the "Cappadocia Gate", below and west of the Terrace Structures and east of the Suluklu Gol. The east side is bounded by a steep bank that presumably masks a terrace wall, a wall of large blocks forms the northern end. A range of structures is visible in the bank at the south-east corner, their western extent being obscure; at a greater elevation than the field and the western structure, it could have been more than one storey. Access to the field appears to have been from the south-western end. The western edge is formed by a long narrow Structure with rectangular structures appended to the outer, western, side at either end. The west extension of Test Trench 19 was dug across the long narrow structure. Excavation clarified some architectural points but failed to reveal any evidence of internal structures, floors or artefacts. On the west edge there is a substantial terrace wall founded on loose rubble fill, retained in turn by a further terrace wall, not exposed, lower down the steep bank. Immediately east of the upper terrace wall, and retained by it, is the western wall of the building. The eastern wall of the building has only an outer face to a rubble fill that extends westwards beneath the inner (east) face of the west wall. It is thus apparent that the two walls of the building and the rubble fill of the core are of the same construction. The floors were not extant. It is likely that the floors of the building were raised, or intended to be raised, well above the level of the "polo field" which today becomes boggy in spring as water flows down the terraces from the foot of the "Kale". Sub-divisions have not been located but could be revealed by geophysical survey or wider exposure. In the Field bed-rock is visible in many places and the present level aspect of the field is doubtless artificial.

It is possible that this complex was, like the city wall and "military area" unfinished. The test excavations have not completely elucidated this problem, but did not reveal any traces of destruction debris or burning, either within the building or down the slope below.

Interpretation
The function is unknown but was clearly public and related to other activities within the "Public Zone". The large, flat, open area, apparently devoid of structures, is suggestive of exercises, parades, animal riding, games and other public spectacles, hence our nick-name: the "Polo Field". Other possibilities include a market and a place for the loading and unloading of caravans. None of these suggestions need be mutually exclusive. The long narrow structure, c. 7.5 by 138.Om, along the west edge would have reduced the force of the prevailing wind and provided shelter, although the area of roofed space would have been restricted and seems to have been too narrow for tethering horses. It may have stood two or more stories high.

The Terraces

To the east of and above the "Polo Field", and west of the main north—south street, are a series of long narrow structures on artificial terraces. Two distinct units are visible on the surface and were examined by Test Trench 19 in 1996.

Interpretation
These structures fall into a class of buildings that are often interpreted as stables. The existence of stone paving together with drains might support such an identification here, hence the preliminary suggestion that they were "imperial stables". In favour of this identification is the theoretical probability that stables do exist within the city. Other interpretations are, however, possible. The dimensions of the long narrow elements are on the narrow side for horses and the position is very exposed for quartering horses during the winter months. Further, the wide central space, perhaps open at the south end, could only have been roofed with the use of substantial columns or posts. It is thus more probable that these structures were store houses, perhaps designed to provide shelter for the loading and unloading of pack animals and even wagons. Geomagnetic survey of these structure planned for 1998 might throw additional light on this problem.