Çakmaktepe: Unveiling a Prehistoric Settlement
Located around 20 km southwest of downtown Şanlıurfa, Çakmaktepe sits atop the Eocene limestone plateau, part of the Fatik (Cudi) Mountains, at an elevation of around 670 meters above sea level. This hilltop settlement, within the borders of Herim/Ödüllü village, Koçören neighborhood, Eyyübiye district, covers a diameter of approximately 150 meters. Unique from typical settlements, buildings also spread out around the main area, extending the settlement’s reach.
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Surrounding Settlements
Çakmaktepe is surrounded by numerous Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlements, some discovered in previous studies and others identified during the Şanlıurfa Archaeological Survey (ŞAYA). These sites are spaced 2-3 km apart, forming a significant cluster in the region. The settlement aligns with sites like Bademli, Sayburç, Yoğunburç, and Ayanlar to the north and Borbore, Mendik, Gotik Tepesi, and Nergislik to the south. This dense grouping highlights the area’s importance in the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled communities, thanks to favorable climatic and environmental conditions.
Research History
The discovery of Çakmaktepe came in 2021 during the first year of the ŞAYA Project, aimed at exploring the western Harran Plain. Satellite imagery analysis led to its identification, followed by joint excavations with Çukurova University and Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum under the Şanlıurfa Neolithic Research Project – Taş Tepeler. The University of Tsukuba, Japan, joined the efforts in 2022.
Archaeological Findings
The bedrock at Çakmaktepe served as flooring for dwellings, which had diameters ranging from 3-5 meters. In sloping areas, early terrazzo flooring appeared through gravel layers. Inside these structures, conical holes of various sizes were carved into the bedrock, functioning as mortars. This practice, seen in Natufian settlements in the Levant, marks a significant step towards food production from hunting and gathering.
The settlement’s density suggests a thriving community, supported by suitable environmental conditions. One remarkable find is a fully unearthed circular building, approximately 16 meters in diameter, carved into the bedrock. This structure, lacking partition walls but featuring a bench and post holes, seems designed as a single-room building. Notably, a quadrangular element with one open side, measuring 1.5×1.5 meters, was found beside the bench wall. The building appeared intentionally filled, evidenced by neatly placed rows of stones among the fill. Nearby, fragments of well-worked pillars were also discovered.
In another partially unearthed structure, the skulls of wild cattle, sheep, and equids, burned outside, were found placed at the foot of the walls inside the building. These practices hint at ritual uses for these communal buildings. Such large structures, approaching 16 meters in diameter, show that early hunter-gatherer communities prioritized social connections and communal life even as they began settling.
Daily Life and Artifacts
Artifacts from Çakmaktepe include stone vessels and ornaments like stone beads. Groundstones and grinding slabs indicate the collection and grinding of wild plants. Preliminary animal bone analysis reveals wild species such as cattle, horses, pigs, gazelles, and rabbits. These animals likely came from nearby hunting grounds, suggesting organized, expert hunting practices.
One fascinating artifact is a piece depicting an antelope hunting scene, underscoring hunting’s importance. Chipped stone materials found include bruins, perforators, blades, and points. The settlement dates back to the early Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (10000-9500 B.C.), based on these tools, known as El-Khiam points in archaeological literature.
Conclusion
Çakmaktepe stands as one of the oldest known sedentary hunter-gatherer settlements in Anatolia. The findings reflect an organized, knowledgeable community with advanced skills, offering a glimpse into the early stages of human settlement.
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