Contributions of the Domuztepe Excavations to Mesopotamian Prehistory

Domuztepe, located in Türkiye’s Eastern Mediterranean region, is situated at the intersection of the Taurus and Amanos Mountains in an area that was once semi-swampy. Excavations at Domuztepe were conducted as a joint American-British project between 1995 and 2012, and since the 2013 excavation season, have been carried out by a Turkish team from Hacettepe University in Ankara. A mound settlement, Domuztepe, covers an area of approximately 30 hectares and has two peaks, one in the north and one in the south. These peaks are approximately 12 meters above the plain. The highest point of Domuztepe is 540 meters above sea level, and it is now located within an area where intensive agricultural activities take place. In addition, medieval ceramic fragments are visible on the surface. A Roman garrison was identified in the northern peak during the work of the previous excavation team. Furthermore, both the former and current excavation teams have shown that the settlement exhibits Halaf characteristics, which hold a special place in the prehistory of Upper Mesopotamia. The surface of this pottery is mostly covered with painted decoration. In addition to traditional Halafian motifs, those unique to Domuztepe are also noteworthy. On the other hand, alongside Halafian pottery, different types of Dark Faced Ware, common in the Late Neolithic Period of Syro-Cilicia, are also found in the excavations. Findings that appear characteristic of the eastern and western regions of Upper Mesopotamia are present in the same context at Domuztepe. In addition, the presence of some pottery that gives a blended appearance of elements from both regions indicates that Domuztepe held a special position in the Late Neolithic Period of Mesopotamia.