The main group of images pecked into a natural rock face. Each of the figures has horns and a tail apparently representing devils of Byzantine date rather than early prehistoric depictions of animals. The largest image, at the top with horns partly in shadow, is shown in detail on the previous image. No other remains were seen in the immediate vicinity.

 

 

 

A Byzantine image incised into the smooth rock face, a little apart from the main group of devils on the previous image.

 

 

 

 

AIMS OF THE SURVEY

The original aims of the survey were to record a group of rock carvings in a valley to the west of Çekerek and to examine the routes and passes leading northwards from the Kerkenes Dag for evidence that would support the hypothesis that there was a major route leading directly northwards via Eymir and Aydincik in the second and again in the mid-first millennia BC. Research in the BIAA library between the initial application for a supplementary grant and finalisation of survey plans revealed conclusive evidence that the rock carvings were of Byzantine date, not early prehistoric as has been hoped. I owe to David French the suggestion that the images represent devils, hence their horns and tails that had misled us into thinking they were prehistoric representations of animals. After consultation with Dr. Roger Matthews and Professor Stephen Mitchell it was agreed that the survey proceed as planned, all emphasis now being placed on the issue of ancient routes and an estimate of the potential for more detailed and intensive survey sometime in the future. The final aims of the project as it went into the field were thus: 1. to test the hypothesis that there was a route from Kusakli Höyük, Hittite Zippallanda, (Gurney 1995) directly northwards to Ortaköy, Hittite Šapinuwa (Suel 1996); 2. to test the hypothesis that the same route was used in the mid-first millennium between the city on the Kerkenes Dag, Pteria (Herod. 76.1, Summers 1997) and the Black Sea, especially Sinope; 3. to take a preliminary look at the settlement pattern in the Kümbet Ovasi (Aydincik Ilce) and that part of the Çekerek Irmak valley running eastwards from it. This seems always to have afforded easy passage and was surely the route between Hattusa and Alaca Höyük (?ancient Arrina) and Masat Höyük close to the north-eastern border of Hittite territory; 4. to gain a general idea of the potential within the region for an intensive archaeological survey that would be combined with study of the geomorphology and make use of GIS.

 

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