3. CLEARANCE AND TEST EXCAVATIONS

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The 'Cappadocia Gate'
In 2000 a new plan of the 'Cappadocia Gate' was obtained (Fig. 16), the impressive double tower with a central recess (Figs 15, 17 and 18) 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. One major surprise was that the form of the double tower appears to have been an architectural design element and not, as had been expected, a direct reflection of the character of the underlying bedrock. The symmetry of the plan echoes that of the Palace Complex façade. 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 was also discovered that the glacis was preserved to its full original height in the centre of the recess and that one course of the vertical wall still rose directly behind the recess.

A second surprise was the existence of a small structure in front of the easternmost tower. This extramural building would have reduced both the visual impact of the gate complex and its defensive properties. Evidence might suggest that this secondary structure was demolished before the final assault on the city.

It was further ascertained that the sandstone blocks, noted last year as being used in a Byzantine repair to the gate passage, are of Iron Age origin. It appears that there were sandstone crenellations atop the towers flanking the gate and perhaps carried over a part of the gate passage. The sandstone blocks display simple tool marks, have some well smoothed surfaces and bear traces of heavy burning. There is insufficient sandstone for there to have been more than a single course. 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 (as was suggested in 1999) remains moot.

The East End of the 'Palace Complex'
The tall, sloping stone façade that defines the eastern end of the 'Palace Complex' was completely cleared of stone rubble (Figs 21, 22 and 24). No special features were found to have existed within the central niche, although here the glacis was preserved to within a course of its full height where it would have met flush with the walling behind. The northern half of the monumental stone building (Structure A, Fig. 21) immediately above and behind the glacis, was also largely cleared of stone rubble and the extant walling was preserved by the addition of new courses of stone. Certain of the walls of Structure B, representing a major re-modelling of the southern side of Structure A, were party cleared. Two stone buildings, Structures C and D, constructed in the open space behind Structure A, were partially cleaned and probed through test excavation. Finally, a trench was dug across the wide street that runs parallel with the northern wall of the complex.

The striking visual symmetry of the glacis is mirrored by the symmetrical aspects of the two huge stone tower-like elements and connecting corridor that make up Structure A. This imposing monument was perhaps partly, if not wholly, defensive in concept. Moreover, the stone face of the glacis can now be seen to have served, in part, to retain the stone rubble of an artificial platform on which the towered monument was erected. Bedrock must also rise to form the core of the platform.

Nothing now remains of the floors of Structure A, which, to judge from the very considerable amount of fallen stone that had to be cleared from in front of the glacis, would have stood several meters above the top of the glacis. At its north-west limit the glacis was cut through and abruptly ended by the construction of a ragged stretch of walling. It appears most probable that the glacis originally turned southwards at the point where it was demolished. At its south-west end the glacis was similarly cut through and a stone paved approach to an original entrance was partly built over when the various terraces of Structure B were erected. It is clear, therefore, that Structure A underwent a major remodelling that entailed the removal of its western side. It is anticipated that future work will reveal more of the original plan beneath the secondary buildings at the east end of the 'Palace Complex'.

Built on a series of terraces, Structure B (Figs 23 and 25) appears to have superseded an earlier paved entrance to Structure A and to have formed the footings for a strong southern tower. This discovery raises questions concerning the location of the later entrance to the complex - questions which only future work will resolve. It is, however, clear that the new scheme was on a grand scale, not least since it recast the opposed north and south flanks of Structure A.

Immediately to the west of Structure A two buildings were investigated on a limited scale. Structure C is a two-roomed building of a type attested in many parts of the city (Figs 26 and 27). Partial excavation produced a small corpus of complete pottery vessels, pieces of bone inlay and seeds of exotic plants. Structure D was found to contain substantial timber beams which had been reduced to charcoal beneath a thick covering of fallen mud-brick (Fig. 29). Samples of the beams were removed for possible tree-ring dating by Professor Peter Kuniholm.

A Columned Hall in the 'Palace Complex'
Test Trench 22, positioned so as to examine a major structure on one of the Palace Complex terraces, revealed part of a columned hall (Figs 30 and 31). In 1996 a columned hall was discovered in the north-westen sector of the city and, subsequently, other columned halls were revealed in various other parts of the city through geophysical survey. Columned halls are not thought to belong to an Anatolian architectural tradition but seem, rather, to reflect strong Iranian influence. Their presence at Kerkenes may very well be used therefore to support the idea that the site was founded by the Medes.

Material Culture
Even the limited excavation conducted in 2000 has greatly added to our knowledge. Objects found in the burnt destruction level have a secure and well-dated context, and thus shed light on everyday life, aspects of trade and industry and canons of artistic taste. A fragment of carved ivory (Fig. 32), very possibly of Egyptian manufacture, indicates distant connections and exotic taste. A socketed bronze arrowhead (Fig. 33), is similar to examples found at Gordion that are thought to be associated with the advance of Cyrus the Great on Sardis after the Battle of Pteria (Kerkenes) in 547 BC. The growing corpus of pottery, much of it in the destruction levels (Figs 27, 28, 34 and 35), will be very considerable value in the study of ceramics of this period in Central Anatolia. Several pieces have single marks scratched into the surface.

Remains of seeds (including Cornelian cherry stones and fruit) and animal bone (including a noticeable component of wild pig) will tell us something about diet and economy. Alexia Smith is studying the carbonised seeds, recovered from excavation and flotation in 1996 and 2000, in combination with her larger study of the floral remains from the multi-period excavations at Çadýr Höyük, only 10km from Kerkenes. The tight chronological context of the Kerkenes samples will provide a secure benchmark in the mid-first millennium BC. Reinder Neef, also as part of a broader study, is undertaking identification of different tree species from the very many charcoal samples that were, mostly, obtained by flotation. Preliminary indications are that both oak and juniper were used in defensive architecture, and that black pine was very common. In broad terms these very preliminary results meet expectations and demonstrate the extent to which the local environment, now largely denuded of trees, has been altered by man. It will be interesting to see, in the longer term, if there is a significant decline in juniper (and perhaps oak) during the short life of the city that could point to growing scarcity of these slow growing species.

Site Conservation
Once the recording of exposed structures had been completed measures were taken to ensure their preservation. Trenches were backfilled, the glacis footings, at both the 'Cappadocia Gate' and the 'Palace Complex', were covered with clean soil to protect the setting stones and to aid drainage (Fig. 38). In some of the trenches and in front of some stretches of glacis geotextile was laid at the interface between backfill and unexcavated levels or features in experiments that are intended to test the utility of this material in inhibiting plant growth and animal activity. As in previous seasons, exposed stone walling was capped with courses of new stone in such a way that the wall lines were made clear and, where possible, the uppermost course of original stonework could be seen.