A Pathological Deceiver: James Mellaart

Abstract

I try to give some impression of the dark side of the archaeologist James Mellaart, following his inventions from 1954 to 1999, and a resumption after his death. They seem to be motivated by the desire to support his theories, but departed a long way from the realm of verisimilitude and resulted in the loss of any trustworthiness. He may have been a victim of his obsessions, but his many frauds and lies are inexcusable. Therefore, he should not be remembered as a good archaeologist.

Keywords

• James Mellaart
• Anatolian archaeology
• invention of artifacts and inscriptions
• Dorak
• Çatal Höyük
• Beldibi
• Beyköy
• kilims
• Great Goddess
• Hieroglyphic Luwian

Patalojik Bir Sahtekâr: James Mellaart

Abstract

Arkeolog James Mellaart’ın 1954’ten 1999’a kadar yaptığı ve ölümünden sonra yeniden başlayan buluşlarını izleyerek karanlık yüzü hakkında bir izlenim vermeye çalışıyorum. Bu buluşlar, teorilerini destekleme arzusundan kaynaklanıyor gibi görünse de, gerçekçilikten çok uzaklaşmış ve güvenilirliklerini yitirmelerine neden olmuştur. Kendisi takıntılarının kurbanı olmuş olabilir, ancak yaptığı birçok sahtekarlık ve yalan affedilemez. J. Mellaart İyi bir arkeolog olarak hatırlanmamalıdır.

Keywords

• James Mellaart
• Anadolu arkeolojisi
• eser ve yazıt uydurma
• Dorak
• Çatal Höyük
• Beldibi
• Beyköy
• kilimler
• Büyük Tanrıça
• Hieroglif Luvicesi

Ein pathologischer Betrüger: James Mellaart

Abstract

Ich versuche, einen Eindruck von der dunklen Seite des Archäologen James Mellaart zu vermitteln, indem ich seine Erfindungen von 1954 bis 1999 und eine Wiederaufnahme nach seinem Tod verfolge. Sie scheinen von dem Wunsch motiviert zu sein, seine Theorien zu untermauern, entfernten sich aber weit vom Bereich der Wahrhaftigkeit und führten zum Verlust jeglicher Vertrauenswürdigkeit. Er mag ein Opfer seiner Obsessionen gewesen sein, aber seine zahlreichen Betrügereien und Lügen sind unentschuldbar. Man sollte ihn nicht als guten Archäologen in Erinnerung behalten.

Keywords

• James Mellaart
• archaeology
• A pathological swindler
• Çatal Hüyük
• hieroglyphic luwian

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