In the 2009 and 2010 seasons, architectural fieldwork focused on the documentation, conservation, strengthening and enhancement for presentation and visitor security of the Cappadocia Gate (Figs 126 and 127), located on a southeastern elbow on the city walls and named after the direction in which it faces. Field survey was completed in 2009, and the documentation project was presented to the Sivas Regional Commission on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property, under whose jurisdiction Kerkenes Dağ falls, in 2010.

In addition, a structural and architectural strengthening project was prepared for the exterior southeast corner of the gate structure (Fig. 128). All these projects were prepared by Rekare Restoration and Architecture Co. (İstanbul), with Dr. Nilüfer Baturayoğlu Yöney (I.T.U. Faculty of Architecture) acting as consultant on architecture and conservation, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Türer (METU Department of Civil Engineering) acting as consultant on structure for the Kerkenes Research Team. Following the official approval of the regional commission on May 19, 2010, fieldwork was conducted between September 9 and October 9, 2010. This work was undertaken by Erkan Kambek (B. Arch., M. Sci. in Architectural Conservation) with five master stone masons (Fig.129). It was supervised by Dr. Nilüfer Baturayoğlu Yöney for the Kerkenes Project. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara sponsored the work through the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation. The Sorgun District governor and the Sorgun mayor helped the progress of work by arranging for the loan of machinery which enabled the moving and raising of the large building stones as well as great quantities of rubble stone infill for the wall core.

     The Gate Structure
     The gate structure comprises two parts: the South and West towers and the west wall of the gate passage form the west wing whereas the North, East and Middle towers and the walls connecting them around the inner courtyard form the east wing. The city wall butts against the gate structure on both sides. The glacis surrounding the exterior side of the gate and city walls, towers and buttresses appears to be continuous.

All the main walls are vertical without steps or recesses between consecutive stone courses. It seems that the wall faces were constructed a course or two in advance of the stone rubble cores. Large prismatic building stones were preferred on the corners but the wall faces show a less careful workmanship compared to the glacis. The building stones differ in size with larger stones located on the corners and lower courses. The face stones were not cut or shaped but were fitted leaving relatively minimal gaps or joints, the larger of which were chinked with smaller stones.

Timber beams, presumably rounded, were located along the wall face; these were levelled, wedged and partially hidden with stones ranging in size from chips to fist-sized rocks bonded with mud. No vertical or diagonal beams have been found so far. The timber beams were probably around 25cm in thickness and were placed at 1m intervals. The beams along the courtyard niches on the interior side are not level but parallel to the ground.

     Strengthening and Restoration Work
     The major structural problems arise from the use of dry rubble stone masonry. The walls exposed as a result of excavation and cleaning in the 2008 to 2010 seasons need to be strengthened against possible collapse due to natural causes such as rain, flooding and wind and to ensure visitor safety. The southeast corner of the building, focusing on the exterior face of the East Tower, was chosen as a starting point. The walls in this area were completed up to the top of the glacis. Where original glacis face stones were dislocated and sliding downwards on the front side and inside the front niche they were taken down and had been repositioned after their backing was strengthened. It is believed that when completed up to its original level the glacis will act like buttressing to the walling through its sheer weight and thereby make the exterior wall faces more stable. All joints and gaps between existing glacis face stones were checked and were chinked with smaller stones, similar to the original, where necessary to preserve stability.

As the wall and glacis faces were raised the wall cores and backing behind the glacis were filled with rubble stone and compacted to stabilize them. The wall core was levelled at the glacis top level in order to prevent the existing interior wall faces and loose core rubble from sliding towards the lower exterior side. The wall face in this area was raised two courses (30-50cm) above the top level of the glacis and it was mitred on the inside, thus preventing visitors from getting too close to the exterior wall and glacis faces. The wall now rises approximately 6m above the exterior ground level, making it impossible to push the top glacis stones outwards, which appeared to be a possible form of vandalism.

The rubble deposited outside the city wall on the eastern side was cleaned, uncovering the original glacis face on this side, which was surveyed and documented in 2010. The wall and glacis were also completed for purposes of strengthening on this side but up to a lower level. Cleaning in this area was completed with the removal of the temporary ramp made in 2009, thus limiting the erosion due to human and animal access over the east wall.

The rubble as well as wall and glacis facing stones used for strengthening and completion were recovered from earlier excavation and cleaning work at the gate. For the wall and glacis faces the stones had to be minimally reshaped for fitting. The reconstructed glacis face on the southeastern corner of the East Tower was made with comparatively smaller stones so that it may be distinguished.

Nilüfer Baturayoğlu Yöney