Research Article
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19th–20th Century Greek Ossuary Architecture and Islets of the Dead in the Gulf of Edremit

Year 2023, Issue: 3, 23 - 48, 16.01.2024
https://doi.org/10.26650/IAR2023-1338485

Abstract

Interdisciplinary studies, which have become even more common in the present day, can pave the way for further research in different scientific disciplines, including anthropology. Correspondingly, this study—employing insights from architectural history, landscape archaeology, and historical topography perspectives—focuses on Greek ossuary structures and funerary islets in the Gulf of Edremit during the 19th and 20th centuries. First, the ossuary of Burhaniye, deemed a lost and forgotten monument that belonged to the former Greek community of the town, is introduced through Ottoman archival records and oral history. Then, the abandoned ossuary in the old Greek cemetery of Cunda Island (Ayvalık) is taken into account as an extant and nearby example. Later, a discussion is conducted to determine the precise location of a funerary islet among the Ayvalık Islands, which had remained rather obscure in recent literature. Apart from this islet, there was another funerary islet in the region, although they served contrasting purposes. Sazlı/Oker/Kalemli Island (formerly Kalamaki) was for the vrykolakas, who were believed to be undead revenants. On the other hand, Kumru Island (formerly Nisopoula) was the resting place of a modern-day saint. For this study, different sources were considered and compared with archival evidence, and they were further elaborated through field surveys. While the results have secured the position of Sazlı/Oker/Kalemli Island, the previous use of Kumru Island as a sacred burial site establishes a unique case study with its own story. Finally, it is hoped that the outcomes of this study may guide advanced anthropological studies in the region.

References

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  • Boz, B. and Hager, L. D. (2013). Living above the dead: Intramural burial practices at Çatalhöyük. In Hodder, I. (Ed.). Humans and landscapes of Çatalhöyük: Reports from the 2000–2008 Seasons, volume 8 (pp. 413–440). London, Los Angeles: British Institute at Ankara, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press. google scholar
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  • Earinos, G. (1876). Προσδιορισμός της θέσεως αρχαίων τινων πόλεων της Μυσίας [Prosdiorismos tis theseos archaion tinon poleon tis Mysias], μουσείον και βιβλιοθήκη της ευαγγελικής σχολής [mouseion kai vivliothiki tis evangelikis scholis], 2, 104–147. google scholar
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  • Genç, S. (2016). 19. yüzyıl ortalarına doğru Kemer Edremit esnafı üzerine bir değerlendirme. Balıkesir Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 19(36), 383–400. http://dx.doi.org/10.31795/ baunsobed.645213 google scholar
  • Google Maps, https://maps.google.com/ google scholar
  • Green, L. and Murray, N. (2009). Notes for a guide to the ossuary. African Studies, 68(3), 370–386. google scholar
  • Hellenic Navy (1925). Κυδωνίαι και μοσχόνησοι [kydoniai kai moschonisioi] (1922). Athens: Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service. google scholar
  • HGM = General Directorate of Mapping (Harita Genel Müdürlüğü): google scholar
  • HGM, 1956, 694/238, Burhaniye Hava Fotoğrafı. google scholar
  • HGM, 1958, 918/364, Burhaniye Hava Fotoğrafı. google scholar
  • HGM, 1968, 1955/100,196, Burhaniye Hava Fotoğrafı. google scholar
  • HVS = Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet Salnâme (Yearbook): google scholar
  • Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet (1870). Salnâme-i Hüdâvendigâr (H. 1287). Bursa: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
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  • Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet (1892). Hüdâvendigâr Vilâyeti Salnâmesi (H. 1310). Bursa: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
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  • Karal, E. Z. (1943). Osmanlı İmparatorluğu’nda ilk nüfus sayımı, 1831. Ankara: Başvekâlet İstatistik Umum Müdürlüğü. google scholar
  • Kenna, M. (2015). Rituals of forgiveness and structures of remembrance: memorial services and bone depositories on the island of anafi. History of Religions, 54(3), 225–259. google scholar
  • Kontogianni, P. M. (1921). Γεωγραφία της μικράς ασίας [geografia tis mikras asias]. Athens: P. A. Petrakos. google scholar
  • KVS = Karesi Vilayet Salnâme (Yearbook): google scholar
  • Karesi Vilayet (1888). Karesi Vilâyetine mahsus salnâme (H. 1305). Balıkesir: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
  • Newton, C. T. (1865). Travels and discoveries in the Levant (Vol 1). London: Day & Son Ltd. google scholar
  • Pîrı̂ Reis (2013). Ki̇tâb-ı Bahri̇ye. B. Özükan (Ed.). Istanbul: Boyut Yayıncılık. google scholar
  • Psarros, D. E. (2017). Το αϊβαλί και η μικρασιατική αιολίδα [to aivali kai i mikrasiatiki aiolida]. Athens: MIET. google scholar
  • Sağlam, H. S. (2012). Burhaniye’nin tarihi yapıları. Burhaniye: Municipality of Burhaniye. google scholar
  • Satılmış, S. (2020). Balıkesir ve çevresinin tarihsel depremleri (1850–1900). Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 40, 531–547. http://dx.doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.670938 google scholar
  • Sevim, S. (1993). XVI. Yüzyılda Karasi Sancağı (Tahrir Defterlerine Göre) (PhD Thesis). Ankara University, Ankara. google scholar
  • Shipley, O. (Ed.) (1872). A Glossary of ecclesiastical terms. London, Oxford, Cambridge: Ribingtons. google scholar
  • Ünver, M. (2012). Midilli Adası’nın idari ve sosyo-ekonomik yapısı (1876–1914) (PhD Thesis). Istanbul University, Istanbul. google scholar
  • Strange, J. F. (1975). Late Hellenistic and herodian ossuary tombs at french hill, jerusalem. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 219, 39–67. https://doi.org/10.2307/1356440 google scholar
  • Sulosky Weaver, C. L. (2015, 11 June). Walking dead and vengeful spirits. Popular Archaeology. Accessed: https://popular-archaeology.com/article/walking-dead-and-vengeful-spirits/ google scholar
  • UNESCO (2017, 15 April). Ayvalık industrial landscape. Accessed: https://whc.unesco.org/en/ tentativelists/6243/ google scholar
  • Yorulmaz, A. (1977). Ayvalık’ı gezerken. Istanbul: Geylan Yayınları. google scholar
  • Zeybek, M. (2023, 25 July). Personal communication. Burhaniye. google scholar
Year 2023, Issue: 3, 23 - 48, 16.01.2024
https://doi.org/10.26650/IAR2023-1338485

Abstract

Supporting Institution

Koç Üniversitesi Anadolu Medeniyetleri Araştırma Merkezi (ANAMED)

Thanks

Bu çalışma, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Hüseyin Murat Özgen (MSGSÜ) tarafından 2015 yılından bu yana yürütülen ve yazarın da bilim kurulu üyesi olduğu Adramytteion Arkeolojik Yüzey Araştırmaları'nın bir parçası olup, Koç Üniversitesi Anadolu Medeniyetleri Araştırma Merkezi'nin (ANAMED) katkılarıyla hazırlanmıştır.

References

  • Adramytteion Researches = Adramytteion Archaeological Field Surveys and Excavations Photography Archive (2018–2023). google scholar
  • Aras, Y. (2014). Tarih sayfalarında Burhaniye’m. Istanbul: Rema Matbaacılık. google scholar
  • Ashpitel, A. (Ed.) (1867). Treatise on architecture. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black. google scholar
  • Barkınay, A. R. (2005). Adalar Denizi kılavuzu. M. Pultar (Ed.). Istanbul: Denizler Kitabevi. google scholar
  • BKTVKK = Balıkesir Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board (Balıkesir Kültür ve Tabiat Varlıklarını Koruma Kurulu) google scholar
  • BKTVKK, Decree No. 25.06.2021/2934. google scholar
  • BKTVKK, Listed Buildings Inventory (Ayvalık and Burhaniye, as of August 2022). google scholar
  • BOA = Ottoman State Archives (Devlet Arşivleri Başkanlığı Osmanlı Arşivi): google scholar
  • BOA, BEO (Bâb-ı Âlî Evrak Odası Evrakı), 1741-130559, H. 20.07.1319 (2 November 1901). google scholar
  • BOA, DH. İD (Dahiliye Nezâreti İdare Evrakı), 114-38, H. 14.02.1330 (3 February 1912). google scholar
  • BOA, DH.MKT (Dahiliye Nezâreti Mektubî Kalemi), 2566-58, H. 26.08.1319 (8 December 1901). google scholar
  • BOA, İ.AZN (İrade Adliye ve Mezâhib), 44-11, H. 16.07.1319 (29 October 1901). google scholar
  • BOA, İ.AZN, 105-11, H. 03.02.1330 (23 January 1912). google scholar
  • BOA, ŞD (Şûrâ-yı Devlet Evrakı), 1567-31, H. 18.07.1314 (23 December 1896). google scholar
  • BOA, ŞD, 1580-17, H. 11.06.1319 (25 September 1901). google scholar
  • Boivin, K. (2020). Two-story charnel-house chapels and the space of death in the medieval city. In Perkinson, S. and Turel, N. (Ed.). Picturing death, 1200–1600 (pp. 79–103). Leiden, Boston: Brill. google scholar
  • Boz, B. and Hager, L. D. (2013). Living above the dead: Intramural burial practices at Çatalhöyük. In Hodder, I. (Ed.). Humans and landscapes of Çatalhöyük: Reports from the 2000–2008 Seasons, volume 8 (pp. 413–440). London, Los Angeles: British Institute at Ankara, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press. google scholar
  • Cuinet, V. (1894). La Turquie d’Asie: Géographie administrative, statistique, descriptive et raisonnée de chaque (vol 4). Paris: Ernest Leroux. google scholar
  • Daily Sabah (2021, 4 January). Treasure hunters trigger collapse of historic chapel in western Turkey. Daily Sabah. Accessed: https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/treasure-hunters-trigger-collapse-ofhistoric- chapel-in-western-turkey/news google scholar
  • Drakos, E. I. (1888). Μικρασιαναί πραγματείαι ιστορικαί και τοπογραφικαί : ήτοι αι εκατόνησοι, ο δήμος νυμφαίου και η επαρχία ανέων [mikrasianai pragmateiai istorikai kai topografikai : itoi ai ekatonisoi, o dimos nymfaiou kai eparchia aneon] (Vol 1). Athens. google scholar
  • Drakos, E. I. (1895). “Μικρασιανά ή γενική πραγματεία περί εκατονήσων τανυν μοσχονησίων” [geniki pragmateia peri ekatonison tanyn moschonision] (vol 1). τα μικρασιανά ή αι εκατόνησοι τανυν μοσχονήσια [ta mikrasiana i ai ekatonisoi tanyn moschonisia] (Vol 1–2). Athens. google scholar
  • Earinos, G. (1876). Προσδιορισμός της θέσεως αρχαίων τινων πόλεων της Μυσίας [Prosdiorismos tis theseos archaion tinon poleon tis Mysias], μουσείον και βιβλιοθήκη της ευαγγελικής σχολής [mouseion kai vivliothiki tis evangelikis scholis], 2, 104–147. google scholar
  • Erkân-ı Harbiye-i Umûmiye (1911). Ayvalık (H. 1328). Istanbul: Erkân-ı Harbiye-i Umûmiye Matbaası (Istanbul Atatürk Library, Hrt_001003). google scholar
  • Genç, S. (2016). 19. yüzyıl ortalarına doğru Kemer Edremit esnafı üzerine bir değerlendirme. Balıkesir Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 19(36), 383–400. http://dx.doi.org/10.31795/ baunsobed.645213 google scholar
  • Google Maps, https://maps.google.com/ google scholar
  • Green, L. and Murray, N. (2009). Notes for a guide to the ossuary. African Studies, 68(3), 370–386. google scholar
  • Hellenic Navy (1925). Κυδωνίαι και μοσχόνησοι [kydoniai kai moschonisioi] (1922). Athens: Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service. google scholar
  • HGM = General Directorate of Mapping (Harita Genel Müdürlüğü): google scholar
  • HGM, 1956, 694/238, Burhaniye Hava Fotoğrafı. google scholar
  • HGM, 1958, 918/364, Burhaniye Hava Fotoğrafı. google scholar
  • HGM, 1968, 1955/100,196, Burhaniye Hava Fotoğrafı. google scholar
  • HVS = Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet Salnâme (Yearbook): google scholar
  • Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet (1870). Salnâme-i Hüdâvendigâr (H. 1287). Bursa: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
  • Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet (1880). Salnâme-i Hüdâvendigâr (H. 1297). Bursa: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
  • Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet (1892). Hüdâvendigâr Vilâyeti Salnâmesi (H. 1310). Bursa: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
  • Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet (1898). Hüdâvendigâr Vilâyeti Salnâmesi (H. 1316). Bursa: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
  • Hüdâvendigâr Vilayet (1906). Hüdâvendigâr Vilâyeti Salnâme-i Resmiyesi (H. 1324). Bursa: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
  • Karal, E. Z. (1943). Osmanlı İmparatorluğu’nda ilk nüfus sayımı, 1831. Ankara: Başvekâlet İstatistik Umum Müdürlüğü. google scholar
  • Kenna, M. (2015). Rituals of forgiveness and structures of remembrance: memorial services and bone depositories on the island of anafi. History of Religions, 54(3), 225–259. google scholar
  • Kontogianni, P. M. (1921). Γεωγραφία της μικράς ασίας [geografia tis mikras asias]. Athens: P. A. Petrakos. google scholar
  • KVS = Karesi Vilayet Salnâme (Yearbook): google scholar
  • Karesi Vilayet (1888). Karesi Vilâyetine mahsus salnâme (H. 1305). Balıkesir: Matbaa-i Vilâyet. google scholar
  • Newton, C. T. (1865). Travels and discoveries in the Levant (Vol 1). London: Day & Son Ltd. google scholar
  • Pîrı̂ Reis (2013). Ki̇tâb-ı Bahri̇ye. B. Özükan (Ed.). Istanbul: Boyut Yayıncılık. google scholar
  • Psarros, D. E. (2017). Το αϊβαλί και η μικρασιατική αιολίδα [to aivali kai i mikrasiatiki aiolida]. Athens: MIET. google scholar
  • Sağlam, H. S. (2012). Burhaniye’nin tarihi yapıları. Burhaniye: Municipality of Burhaniye. google scholar
  • Satılmış, S. (2020). Balıkesir ve çevresinin tarihsel depremleri (1850–1900). Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 40, 531–547. http://dx.doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.670938 google scholar
  • Sevim, S. (1993). XVI. Yüzyılda Karasi Sancağı (Tahrir Defterlerine Göre) (PhD Thesis). Ankara University, Ankara. google scholar
  • Shipley, O. (Ed.) (1872). A Glossary of ecclesiastical terms. London, Oxford, Cambridge: Ribingtons. google scholar
  • Ünver, M. (2012). Midilli Adası’nın idari ve sosyo-ekonomik yapısı (1876–1914) (PhD Thesis). Istanbul University, Istanbul. google scholar
  • Strange, J. F. (1975). Late Hellenistic and herodian ossuary tombs at french hill, jerusalem. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 219, 39–67. https://doi.org/10.2307/1356440 google scholar
  • Sulosky Weaver, C. L. (2015, 11 June). Walking dead and vengeful spirits. Popular Archaeology. Accessed: https://popular-archaeology.com/article/walking-dead-and-vengeful-spirits/ google scholar
  • UNESCO (2017, 15 April). Ayvalık industrial landscape. Accessed: https://whc.unesco.org/en/ tentativelists/6243/ google scholar
  • Yorulmaz, A. (1977). Ayvalık’ı gezerken. Istanbul: Geylan Yayınları. google scholar
  • Zeybek, M. (2023, 25 July). Personal communication. Burhaniye. google scholar
There are 55 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Anthropology (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Hasan Sercan Sağlam 0000-0002-6621-0436

Publication Date January 16, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2023 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Sağlam, H. S. (2024). 19th–20th Century Greek Ossuary Architecture and Islets of the Dead in the Gulf of Edremit. Istanbul Anthropological Review(3), 23-48. https://doi.org/10.26650/IAR2023-1338485