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During the 2003
season essential conservation work at the Cappadocia Gate enhanced the
appearance of the Eastern Tower glacis while excavations focused on two
areas, the passage and the inner chamber (Figs
77 and 78).
A new section was cut through the entrance passage (Fig. 77,
TR 12) while the uppermost 2.00m of rubble fill was removed from the inner
chamber (Fig. 77,
TR 13).
1.
Conservation
This aspect of the work forms part of a long-term program of site enhancement
which is intended to improve the visual aspect of the major monuments
at Kerkenes and, at the same time, to provide the visitor with an understanding
and appreciation of the remains themselves. In 2003 a number of slipped
and fallen glacis stones were set back in their original positions and
some new stones were introduced to fill gaps along the top of the glacis
(Figs 79
and 80).
All of
this work took place on the south-eastern side of the gate and was particularly
concentrated on the south-eastern tower. Here, in addition to partially
restoring the glacis, part of the south-eastern walling tower itself was
rebuilt so as to preserve the original structure and to improve safety.
In both cases a full record has been made which distinguishes between
original stonework, stones that have been reset in their original place
and new stones used to fill holes and gaps. Following a general principal,
all of the action that has been taken is reversible and all new stones
are granite like the originals.
With regard to the flanking walls of the gate passage in trench TR12 and
the walls of the gate chamber in trench TR13, stones that were found to
have slipped and to be leaning dangerously were set back as far as was
possible in their original positions. Where the original stones were too
cracked and broken to be serviceable new stones were used. Here again
a full record of original, reset and new stones was made. It is true that
this procedure resulted in stones being moved before an accurate top plan
had been made, but this expedient method meant that, wherever possible,
the original stones were reset and also that the danger of accidents -
while ever present - was minimised.
As to the stele, an aniconic representation of a Phrygian deity atop its
stepped monument, the decision was taken to remove the badly shattered
stone in as careful and systematic way as was possible in the expectation
that it will prove possible to reconstitute the front of the stone with
minimal loss.
At the end of the season, after recording, part of the surface of the
gate passageway was covered with geotextile. Then the tall section through
the very loose rubble fill of the gate passage that formed the north-eastern
limit of trench TR12 was partially pulled down in a way that rendered
it safe for both visitors and animals.
2. Work
in the Gate Passage, Trench TR12
A further section of the gate passage (Fig. 81)
was cleared in 2003. This excavation, in trench TR12, extended trench
TR03 excavated in 2002. Stones that had been piled up to retain one side
of a very rough animal track, perhaps in the Byzantine period if the pottery
from the fill is a secure guide, were recorded and removed.
On the north-west side of the passage it was found that before the destruction
an eroded gully had threatened to undermine the passage wall (Fig. 81).
In order to ward off this threat a row of four stones had been set in
a line in such a way as to prevent further erosion and it is probable
that other, less regularly laid, stone was employed for the same purpose.
This stone feature has been preserved intact and much of the fill of the
gully was left in place in order to preclude further erosion during the
winter.
With regard to the plan of the 6m wide Gate Passage, no restriction was
discovered. Further, it is notable that no further sandstone blocks were
found, indicating that the use of this distinctive material was restricted
to the uppermost course on the front of the gate towers. Nor, importantly,
was there any indication that the portion of the gate passage in front
(to the south-west) of the inner chamber of the gate had ever been roofed
in any way. It was perhaps disappointing that no evidence for the existence
of door sockets, nor of the doors themselves, has yet been recovered.
This excavation of the Iron Age fill of the gate passage did not produce
any objects, nor indeed any pottery sherds.
3.
Work in the Gate Chamber, Trench TR13
The
stone fill of the gate chamber (Figs 83
and 84)
has been lowered so that it is now more or less level with the present
surface of the modern trackway that leads through the gate. This procedure
has revealed some 2.00m of standing wall in the south-eastern corner of
the gateway and it is estimated that a further 2.00m or remains to be
exposed in the course of the next season. The only feature of note is
a level row of small stones in the walling that is associated with clay
and burnt debris. This structural element, which runs along the entire
length of the south-western wall, part of the buttress wall at north-west
and extends along some 3.00m of the north-east walling, appears to represent
some form of intermediate flooring or balcony within the south-western
portion of the internal gate chamber.
4.
The Stepped Shrine with an Aniconic Stele of a Phrygian Deity
Against the south-west face of the north-eastern tower, on the side of
the innermost section of the gate passage, the unexpected discovery was
made of a stepped monument supporting a partially preserved aniconic stele
(Figs 85
and 86).
This stele, which faces outwards, was removed although the stepped monument
has not been fully exposed and. problems concerning access to it remain
to be investigated in 2004. As to the stele itself, it is carved from
a very soft chalky limestone. The stone is not only badly shattered but
many roots were seen to have penetrated into the cracks. Some of the interior
of the stone has turned pink as a consequence of the fire. The back of
the stele itself and the rear upper slab into which it was fitted are
missing, presumably broken during the destruction of the gate. The uppermost
step, which was recessed on top so as to retain the stele, was cut from
the same chalky stone and has likewise shattered. The two lower steps
that have been exposed are very rude and uneven and it seems probable
that they were originally covered with mud plaster or perhaps wood. The
stele was carefully lifted and awaits a detailed assessment of its condition
and possible reconstruction in the Kerkenes laboratory in 2004.
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