Bricks and Roof Tiles of Alanya Castle: Evaluation of Animal Footprints from an Ichnoarchaeological Perspective

Abstract

The use of bricks and roof tiles was prevalent during the ancient era. Brick production could be established wherever suitable clay was available. However, the production methods and demand for bricks varied regionally. In settlements abundant in stone, brick usage was minimal, while in regions with few stone resources, brick usage was widespread. The architecture of Alanya Castle prominently features the use of bricks, especially in the construction of the corner baths and large cisterns in the Inner Castle. Shops within the Middle Wall, such as the Seljuk Bath, Old Bazar (Arasta) and Old Bazaar (Bedesten), were also partially constructed with bricks. Due to its geographical location, Alanya Castle served as a bustling port city during the Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine (Eastern Roman), Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. There are no written records indicating whether the brick trade took place during these periods. This study aims to determine the formation process of imprints found on the bricks and roof tiles discovered in the excavations of Alanya Castle. It also seeks to interpret which animals these imprints belonged to and to analyze data regarding the local production of bricks. The study will therefore, contribute to ongoing ichnoarchaeological research. Imprints of both human and animal footprints, as well as those created by plants, can be found on bricks and roof tiles. In Alanya Castle, 22 bricks and one roof tile with animal footprints were identified and examined. The imprints belong to dogs, wild and domestic goats, and jackals. The most common group of imprints is from canids, particularly dogs. Imprints of wild goats and domestic goats represent another significant group on the castle’s bricks. Wild goats still reside in Alanya Castle today. Its steep rocky terrain, along with the presence of shrubs, has provided a suitable environment for these animals. This study aims to shed light on the formation of imprints on bricks and roof tiles found in Alanya Castle. It offers valuable insights into ichnoarchaeological research, while also providing information on the potential local production of bricks during different historical periods.

Keywords

• Alanya Castle
• tile
• brick
• Ichnoarchaeology
• animal footprint

References

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