Page 17 - TINA Dergi Sayi 09

TINA

Maritime Archaeology Periodical

fig. 6: Tatlısu-Çiftlikdüzü kazı alanının havadan görünümü, Kıbrıs. (Fotoğraf: Tatlısu Kazı ve Araştırma Projesi Arşivi).
fig. 6: An aerial view of Tatlısu-Çiftlikdüzü excavation site, Cyprus. (Photographic Archive of the Excavation and Sur-
vey Project in Tatlısu).

Based on the data from the excavations at the Akroti- on what has been uncovered on the island so far, this
ri-Aetokremnos rock shelter, it is also likely that the first period has been referred to as “Cypro-PPNB” by some
human presence on the island extended from 10,000 investigators, in order to emphasize the intense interac-
BCE to the period of earlier settlements. Whether this tion and connection with the neighbouring mainland.
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archaeologically disputable chronological gap is true or Therefore, studies on the Early Neolithic period, includ-
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not will only be understood after intensive surveys and ing Tatlısu-Çiftlikdüzü, are of great importance, not only
excavations to be undertaken in the future. for Cyprus, but also for Neolithic period in Near East.
The archaeological discoveries of the past 25 years in- tAtLISu-ÇIFtLIKDÜZÜ
dicate that the colonization of the island occurred much Tatlısu-Çiftlikdüzü, which lies on the northern coast
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earlier than previously believed, and that the chronology of Cyprus, is dated to 8,200 BCE, i.e. the Aceramic
of the Neolithic period is both longer and more complex. Neolithic period (or Cypro-PPNB/MPPNB). Despite
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The archaeological excavations at the Tatlısu-Çiftlikdüzü long-term agricultural damage, the site is very well pre-
(Akanthou-Arkosyko) settlement to the east of Kyrenia, served. The excavations that have been conducted since
which followed the excavations at Parekklisha-Shillou- 1999 have yielded six oval and square-planned dwell-
rokambos in the Limassol region, Kissonerga-Mylouth- ings with stone foundations, some with painted mud-
kia in the Paphos region, and Tenta in the Kalavassos brick walls. These structures were surrounded by a large
valley, not only illuminate the earliest period of the is- ditch running east to west across the southern part of the
land’s prehistory, but also provide insight into move- settlement. Faunal, botanic, and other remains indicate
ments, communication, and interaction of populations, that there was heavy consumption of seafood among the
as well as the Neolithic process in the Eastern Mediter- residents of Tatlısu, which played a significant role in
ranean and Near East. Due to the intense interaction of their subsistence economy, as well as various types of
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the earliest settlers on Cyprus with the Near East, based domestic plants, animal species, and game animals.
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16 PELTENBUrG 2004b; KNAPP 2013; MCCArT-
AMMErMAN vd. 2008.
18 COLLEDGE 2004; PELTENBUrG 2004A; WAT- 20 The site is now under the protection of the Antiques
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PELTENBUrG 2001; 2003; 2004.
NEY 2005; GUILLAINE - BrIOIS 2006.
Law for preservation of monuments.
KINS 2004. 21 ŞEVKETOĞLU -HANSON, 2015.
16 AMMErMAN et al. 2008.
17 PELTENBUrG 2004b; KNAPP 2013; MCCArTNEY 2005; GUILLAINE - BrIOIS 2006.
18 COLLEDGE 2004; PELTENBUrG 2004 a; WATKINS 2004.
19 PELTENBUrG 2001; 2003; 2004.
20 The site is now under the protection of the Antiques Law for preservation of monuments.
21 ŞEVKETOĞLU -HANSON, 2015.
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