CLEARANCE and TEST EXCAVATIONS

The "Cappadocia Gate "
In 2000 an improved plan of the "Cappadocia Gate" was obtained (Fig. 10) but only future work within the gate passage will resolve all of the outstanding questions. Clearance of the stone glacis of the South-East Tower revealed an impressive double structure with a central recess (Fig 9a 9b 9c 9d 9e). It was also discovered that the glacis was preserved to its full original height in the centre of the recess and that directly behind it one course of the vertical wall is still in position. 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. Moving inside the gate, evidence for an unexpected extent of preservation of the inner gate chamber was obtained. It now seems probable that the stone walls of the chamber are preserved to a height of some 5m.
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 perhaps only sufficient sandstone for reconstruction of 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.
After recording (Fig 9a 9b 9c 9d 9e) by means of photogra-phy, photogrammetry and measured drawing, the base of the glacis was protected with a layer of sterile earth and, in one area, geotextile. The inner walls of the gate chamber were supported by the careful replacement of stone rubble and the original walling of the South-East Tower was consolidated by the addition of new stone courses.

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. 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. 11) 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 partly 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 test trench was dug across the wide street that runs parallel with the northern wall of the complex

Figure 12: At the end of the season a protective covering of clean sand and gravel was laid over the base of the "Palace Complex" façade. Trials are being made to see if geotextile will inhibit plant growth and deter burrowing rodents.