Figure 13:
(13a) Geomagnetic survey within the "Palace Complex" reveals what appears to have been a columned hall and antechamber;
(13b) Test Trench (TT) 22 revealed timber-laced stone footings, burnt clay floor, and a secondary structure at top right.

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Built on a series of terraces, Structure B appears to have superseded an earlier paved entrance to Structure A and to have formed the footings for a strong southern tower.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. 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. 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. In 1996 a columned hall was discovered in the north-western 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. The growing corpus of pottery provides a benchmark for the ceramics of this period in Central Anatolia. Remains of seeds and animal bone will tell us something about diet and economy, and botanical studies are revealing evidence about the environment through the study of different tree species and the uses to which they were put.

Figure 14: Excavation of pottery vessels on the floor of Structure C.

Figure 15: A tripod bowl from outside Structure D in the "Palace Complex".

Figure 16: Socketed bronze arrowhead.

Figure 17: Fragment of carved ivory, once possesing inlays on one side. Actual size.