REPORT FOR THE AFP grant 00-02-01-06, Faculty of Architecture, METU.

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RESULTS: Clearance and Excavation


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The programme of excavation and clearance, started in 1996, has provided a wealth of information that aids the interpretation of information collected by remote sensing techniques. GIS allows this information to be classified and entered into a database.

Continuation of clearance at the Cappadocia Gate, started in 1999, is revealing details of the constuction of the city defences. A new plan of the 'Cappadocia Gate' was obtained (Fig. 11), the impressive double tower with a central recess flanking the east side of the gate was revealed, evidence for the unexpected extent of preservation of the inner gate chamber was obtained and the existence of a small, secondary, Iron Age structure in front of the easternmost tower was recorded. The impressive 5m high glacis around the South-East Tower was cleared within a few days. Kemal Gülcen recorded the sinuous cyclopean stone facing by photogrammetry (Figs 12 and 13) and photographs taken for rectification and 3D modelling (Figs 14 15 16). Whatever combination of causes may account for the design, including perhaps topography and structural strength, visual impact and architectural form would appear to have been over-riding concerns. It appears that there were sandstone crenellations atop the towers flanking the gate and perhaps carried over a part of the gate passage. Further evidence for the inclusion of timbers in the upper part of the towers was revealed, but whether or not battlements were carried on overhanging parapets remains moot.

Clearance and Test Trenches in the “Palace Complex” area were excavated (Figs17) and the information retrieved from the buried structures is to be combined with evidence collected in 1996, 1998 and 1999. Clearing of the entire sloping stone façade of the “Palace Complex” (Figs 18 and 19), was started in 1999 and completed in 2000; the entire stone glacis was exposed and the photogrammetric records were completed. Plans of excavated structures and buildings were drawn (Figs 20, 21, 22, 23) and evidence from excavation also shed light on building materials, building techniques and function of rooms, buildings and structures. Exposure of monumental architecture was complimented by evidence, from precise test excavation, for a taste in sumptuous objects, eclectic diet and a range of ceramic vessels and information on aspects of trade and industry (Figs 24, 25, 26). Charcoal, obtained from flotation, demonstrated that substantial timbers, now scant in the region, were once abundant.

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