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The Chronology of the Neolithic Settlement at Tepecik-Çiftlik, Central Anatolia (Türkiye), Based on Radiocarbon Dating

Year 2025, Issue: 32, 39 - 54, 25.07.2025
https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.32.1702365

Abstract

This study uses radiocarbon dating to evaluate the Neolithic occupation sequence of Tepecik-Çiftlik Höyük, located in Central Anatolia. A total of 50 radiocarbon samples, most of which are presented here for the first time, were collected from different archaeological levels of the mound between 2004 and 2024. These results have been analyzed in conjunction with stratigraphic data. The findings demonstrate that the excavated levels of the site were continuously occupied between 7078 and 5989 cal BC. The study also discusses potential causes of inconsistencies observed in some radiocarbon results and proposes strategies for future sampling. Through the case of Tepecik Çiftlik, this research provides new contributions to the chronological framework of the Neolithic period in Central Anatolia.

References

  • Balcı, S., Altınbilek-Algül, Ç., Mouralis, D., Kayci, O. H., Büyükkarakaya, Açıkgöz, F. (2021). A New Aceramic Neolithic Site Nearby the Obsidian Sources: Preliminary Insights from Sırçalıtepe. Anatolian Research, 24, 67-92. https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.2021. 24.936778 google scholar
  • Bıçakçı, E. (2022). A Conspectus on the Status of Tepecik-Çiftlik Excavation (Cappadocia): Intersite and Regional Outcomes and Prospects. In P. F. Biehl & E. Rosenstock (Eds.), 6000 BC Transformation and Change in the Near East and Europe (pp. 83-103). Cambridge University Press. google scholar
  • Bıçakçı, E., Godon, M., Çakan, Y. G. (2012). Tepecik-Çiftlik. In M. Özdoğan, N. Başgelen, P. Kuniholm (Eds.), The Neolithic in Turkey (pp. 89-134), Vol. 3, Archaeology and Art Publications, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Bıçakçı, E., Altınbilek-Algül, Ç., Balcı, S., Godon, M. (2007). Tepecik-Çiftlik. In M. Özdoğan, N. Başgelen (Eds.), Türkiye’de Neolitik Dönem. Anadolu’da Uygarlığın Doğuşu ve Avrupa’ya Yayılımı. Yeni kazılar, Yeni Bulgular (pp. 237-253), Archaeology and Art Publications, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Büyükkarakaya, A. M., Çakan, Y. G., Godon, M., Erdal, Y. S., Bıçakçı, E. (2019). Handling dead bodies: Investigating the formation process of a collective burial from Neolithic Tepecik-Çiftlik, Central Anatolia (Turkey). Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Vol. 56, 101118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2019.101118 google scholar
  • Büyükkarakaya, A. M., Cavalli, F., Çakan, Y. G., Canol, H. S., Falay, B., Ormancı, Ö. (2024). Multi-dimensional analyses of the plastered skulls from Neolithic Tepecik-Çiftlik, Central Anatolia (Türkiye). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 53, 104388. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104388 google scholar
  • Clare, L., Weninger, B. (2014). The Dispersal of Neolithic Lifeways: Absolute Chronology and Rapid Climate Change in Central and West Anatolia. In M. Özdoğan, N. Başgelen, P. Kuniholm (Eds.), The Neolithic in Turkey (pp. 1-65), Vol. 6, Archaeology and Art Publications, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Çakan, Y. G. (2014). Tepecik-Çiftlik Son Neolitik Dönem Mimarisi, Unpublished MA Thesis, İstanbul University, Institute of Social Sciences, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Çakan, Y. G. (2019). Neolitik Dönemde Yeni Bir Yapı Tipi: Tepecik-Çiftlik’te “Fırınlı Yapılar”. In P. Çaylı, I. Demirtaş, B. Eser (Eds.), Arkeolojiyle Geçen Yarım Asır: Sevil Gülçur Armağanı (pp. 659-672), Bilgin Kültür Sanat Yayınları: Ankara. google scholar
  • Çakan, Y. G. (2024). Orta Anadolu Volkanik Kapadokya Bölgesi’nde MÖ 7. Binyıl: Tepecik-Çiftlik Höyük’te Mimari ve Yerleşim Düzeninde Kültürel Değişim Süreci, Unpublished PhD Thesis, İstanbul University, Institute of Social Sciences, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Fairbairn, A., Jacobsson, P., Baird, D., Jacobsen, G., & Stroud, E. (2020). Settlement change on the western Konya Plain: refining Neolithic and Chalcolithic chronologies at Canhasan, Turkey. Antiquity, 94(374), 342–360. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2020.13 google scholar
  • Godon, M. (2008). Les Productions Ceramiques d’Anatolia Centrale Developpements Culturels et Phenomenes d’Expansion du Neolithique Ceramique Entre 7000 et 5500 BC Cal., Unpublished PhD Thesis, Université Paris X-Nanterre, Paris. google scholar
  • Godon, M. (2012). Cappadocia’s First Pottery Production, Tepecik-Çiftlik Neolithic Earliest Levels. Araştırma Sonuçları Toplantısı, 29(3), 317-339. google scholar
  • Hodder, I. (2014). Çatalhöyük: The Leopard Changes Its Spots. A Summary of Recent Works. Anatolian Studies,64, 1-22. google scholar
  • Todd, I. (1966). Preliminary Report on a Survey of Neolithic Sites in Central Anatolia. Türk Arkeoloji Dergisi, 15.2, 103-107. google scholar
  • Özbaşaran, M., Duru, G., Kayacan, N., Erdoğu, B., Buitenhuis, H. (2012). Musular The 8th Millennium cal. BC Satellite Site Of Aşıklı. In M. google scholar
  • Özdoğan, N. Başgelen, P. Kuniholm (Eds.), The Neolithic in Turkey (pp. 159-1180), Vol. 3, Archaeology and Art Publications, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Ramsey, C. B. (2017). Methods for Summarizing Radiocarbon Datasets. Radiocarbon, 59(6), 1809–1833. https://doi.org/10.1017/RDC.2017. 108 google scholar
  • Reimer, P. J., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J. W., Blackwell, P. G., Ramsey, C. B., … van der Plicht, J. (2013). IntCal13 and marine13 radiocarbon age calibration curves 0–50,000 Years cal BP. Radiocarbon, 55(4), 1869–1887. https://doi.org/10.2458/azu_js_rc.55.16947 google scholar

Year 2025, Issue: 32, 39 - 54, 25.07.2025
https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.32.1702365

Abstract

References

  • Balcı, S., Altınbilek-Algül, Ç., Mouralis, D., Kayci, O. H., Büyükkarakaya, Açıkgöz, F. (2021). A New Aceramic Neolithic Site Nearby the Obsidian Sources: Preliminary Insights from Sırçalıtepe. Anatolian Research, 24, 67-92. https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.2021. 24.936778 google scholar
  • Bıçakçı, E. (2022). A Conspectus on the Status of Tepecik-Çiftlik Excavation (Cappadocia): Intersite and Regional Outcomes and Prospects. In P. F. Biehl & E. Rosenstock (Eds.), 6000 BC Transformation and Change in the Near East and Europe (pp. 83-103). Cambridge University Press. google scholar
  • Bıçakçı, E., Godon, M., Çakan, Y. G. (2012). Tepecik-Çiftlik. In M. Özdoğan, N. Başgelen, P. Kuniholm (Eds.), The Neolithic in Turkey (pp. 89-134), Vol. 3, Archaeology and Art Publications, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Bıçakçı, E., Altınbilek-Algül, Ç., Balcı, S., Godon, M. (2007). Tepecik-Çiftlik. In M. Özdoğan, N. Başgelen (Eds.), Türkiye’de Neolitik Dönem. Anadolu’da Uygarlığın Doğuşu ve Avrupa’ya Yayılımı. Yeni kazılar, Yeni Bulgular (pp. 237-253), Archaeology and Art Publications, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Büyükkarakaya, A. M., Çakan, Y. G., Godon, M., Erdal, Y. S., Bıçakçı, E. (2019). Handling dead bodies: Investigating the formation process of a collective burial from Neolithic Tepecik-Çiftlik, Central Anatolia (Turkey). Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Vol. 56, 101118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2019.101118 google scholar
  • Büyükkarakaya, A. M., Cavalli, F., Çakan, Y. G., Canol, H. S., Falay, B., Ormancı, Ö. (2024). Multi-dimensional analyses of the plastered skulls from Neolithic Tepecik-Çiftlik, Central Anatolia (Türkiye). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 53, 104388. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104388 google scholar
  • Clare, L., Weninger, B. (2014). The Dispersal of Neolithic Lifeways: Absolute Chronology and Rapid Climate Change in Central and West Anatolia. In M. Özdoğan, N. Başgelen, P. Kuniholm (Eds.), The Neolithic in Turkey (pp. 1-65), Vol. 6, Archaeology and Art Publications, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Çakan, Y. G. (2014). Tepecik-Çiftlik Son Neolitik Dönem Mimarisi, Unpublished MA Thesis, İstanbul University, Institute of Social Sciences, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Çakan, Y. G. (2019). Neolitik Dönemde Yeni Bir Yapı Tipi: Tepecik-Çiftlik’te “Fırınlı Yapılar”. In P. Çaylı, I. Demirtaş, B. Eser (Eds.), Arkeolojiyle Geçen Yarım Asır: Sevil Gülçur Armağanı (pp. 659-672), Bilgin Kültür Sanat Yayınları: Ankara. google scholar
  • Çakan, Y. G. (2024). Orta Anadolu Volkanik Kapadokya Bölgesi’nde MÖ 7. Binyıl: Tepecik-Çiftlik Höyük’te Mimari ve Yerleşim Düzeninde Kültürel Değişim Süreci, Unpublished PhD Thesis, İstanbul University, Institute of Social Sciences, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Fairbairn, A., Jacobsson, P., Baird, D., Jacobsen, G., & Stroud, E. (2020). Settlement change on the western Konya Plain: refining Neolithic and Chalcolithic chronologies at Canhasan, Turkey. Antiquity, 94(374), 342–360. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2020.13 google scholar
  • Godon, M. (2008). Les Productions Ceramiques d’Anatolia Centrale Developpements Culturels et Phenomenes d’Expansion du Neolithique Ceramique Entre 7000 et 5500 BC Cal., Unpublished PhD Thesis, Université Paris X-Nanterre, Paris. google scholar
  • Godon, M. (2012). Cappadocia’s First Pottery Production, Tepecik-Çiftlik Neolithic Earliest Levels. Araştırma Sonuçları Toplantısı, 29(3), 317-339. google scholar
  • Hodder, I. (2014). Çatalhöyük: The Leopard Changes Its Spots. A Summary of Recent Works. Anatolian Studies,64, 1-22. google scholar
  • Todd, I. (1966). Preliminary Report on a Survey of Neolithic Sites in Central Anatolia. Türk Arkeoloji Dergisi, 15.2, 103-107. google scholar
  • Özbaşaran, M., Duru, G., Kayacan, N., Erdoğu, B., Buitenhuis, H. (2012). Musular The 8th Millennium cal. BC Satellite Site Of Aşıklı. In M. google scholar
  • Özdoğan, N. Başgelen, P. Kuniholm (Eds.), The Neolithic in Turkey (pp. 159-1180), Vol. 3, Archaeology and Art Publications, İstanbul. google scholar
  • Ramsey, C. B. (2017). Methods for Summarizing Radiocarbon Datasets. Radiocarbon, 59(6), 1809–1833. https://doi.org/10.1017/RDC.2017. 108 google scholar
  • Reimer, P. J., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J. W., Blackwell, P. G., Ramsey, C. B., … van der Plicht, J. (2013). IntCal13 and marine13 radiocarbon age calibration curves 0–50,000 Years cal BP. Radiocarbon, 55(4), 1869–1887. https://doi.org/10.2458/azu_js_rc.55.16947 google scholar
There are 19 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Archaeological Science, Neolithic Age Archeology
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Yasin Gökhan Çakan 0000-0002-4919-7129

Publication Date July 25, 2025
Submission Date May 19, 2025
Acceptance Date May 30, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Issue: 32

Cite

APA Çakan, Y. G. (2025). The Chronology of the Neolithic Settlement at Tepecik-Çiftlik, Central Anatolia (Türkiye), Based on Radiocarbon Dating. Anatolian Research(32), 39-54. https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.32.1702365