SELECTED TOPICS IN ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE HISTORY OF ART - ARHA. 557
PREHISTORIC ANATOLIA
SEMINAR CLASS
Spring 2014
Instructor: RANA ÖZBAL
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This seminar course examines the Paleolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods of
Anatolia. All regions will be studied but special attention will be given to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic of
Western, Central and Southeastern Anatolia. The class also aims to target archaeological theories on the topic
of Neolithization and the cultural transformation that this entails as well as providing students with general
theoretical background for interpreting and integrating prehistoric archaeological data. Students will learn how
to conduct individual research at an advanced level and become fully conversant in the Paleolithic, Neolithic
and Chalcolithic of Anatolia. Students will also learn to critically assess and interpret readings from a variety of
schools of archaeological thought.
COURSE EVALUATION: Much of the grade evaluation for this class is based on participation. Please ensure you
attend the classes and do the readings so you can participate in class discussions. Each week readings will be
placed in a dropbox folder. These questions should act as a guide while reading and facilitate class discussion.
Each student is expected come to class prepared. Please take notes while reading, write down your
observations and questions and bring these with you to class.
Moreover, each student will present several 15 minute presentations on an assigned topic (4 for graduate
students and 3 for undergraduates. Students can opt to present more for additional class participation credit).
Usually these presentations will be about an important site or groups of sites they could also be about a given
research topic, region or phase. You only have 15 minutes so give us the highlights of the settlement(s) or
research topic(s) and explain how the material at hand relates to the greater thematic issues we will be
addressing during class. In other words, you need to place your presentation within the context of the class and
refer specifically to the required readings. You should give the presentation as if you are the instructor so use
visual materials (maps, plans of the architecture and photos of the relevant artifacts, etc.) to make it clear to
your classmates. I will share the relevant Powerpoint images I have in my archive about the topic in question
with the student giving the presentation but you may have to scan other images.
In addition to readings, there will be other tasks that you are expected to do beyond the classroom. One of
them is a map exercise. You will receive a list of sites from me which I will ask you to place on to blank phase
maps of Turkey. This assignment will require you to look many sites up. Remember some multi-period sites
may need to be placed on more than one map.
There is a required essay question. I will generate the questions from the class lectures, readings and
discussions and give them to you in advance of the deadline. Your responses should be generated directly from
the class materials. Please ensure to cite the readings and class discussions. Turn in your 4-6 page (doublespaced) responses (Undergraduates may select to write about 4 pages and graduate students 6). Late papers
will receive reduced grades. This assignment is to be done alone without consulting your classmates.
The research paper is a way to supplement what you learn in this class with an in depth study of a topic of
interest that fits within the class agenda. Please come and talk to me about possible topics. In order to follow
up on the development of your research paper I ask for the work in three separate steps. In the first step,
please provide a bibliography and a thesis statement about your topic. In the second step I would like you to
provide me with an annotated bibliography and a detailed paper outline. Your performance in these
assignments will contribute/detract from the grade you receive for the research paper although you will not
receive an official grade for these assignments. However, I will give each of you detailed comments on your
paper ideas. The research paper should be an original paper showing your work and contribution (refer to the
academic writing policies section to see some important reminders on assignments). Your research paper
bibliography should contain at least 15 references, preferably more especially for graduate students. This may
entail that you visit the RCAC, NIT or DAI libraries.
During the last weeks of the semester I would like for us to get together so that you can all get a chance to
share your topic with others in the class. This will give you the opportunity to present your work orally and get
feedback from your peers. You should present as though you are giving a paper at an international symposium.
A breakdown of how the grades are determined is as follows:
Essay
Map Assignment
Research Paper
Class Contribution
24% Total
4% Total
42% Total
30% Total
(38% paper, 4% presentation)
(14% contribution to class discussions, 16% class presentations; for
undergraduates 15% for class discussion and 15% for presenting)
Each missed class and each class where you refrain from contributing
to the classroom discussion will result in a deduction of your
participation grade.
Undergraduate students can write slightly shorter research papers (i.e. 3000 word minimum), will be asked to
give 3 presentations and may be exempt from reading some of the required graduate student articles (each
week those required by graduate students and undergraduate students will be indicated). Graduate students
have a 4000 word minimum for their final research papers and must present 4 times throughout the semester.
REQUIRED READINGS: Specific readings will be announced and placed in the shared dropbox folder a week
prior to the class in question. In addition to these readings, two books will serve as the main required textbooks
for the class:
1) Ancient Turkey by Antonio Sagona and Paul Zimasky, Routledge (2009, ~ 95 TL) and
2) The Prehistory of Asia Minor, From Complex Hunter-Gatherers to Early Urban Societies by Bleda Düring,
Cambridge University Press (2011, ~ 80 TL).
other textbooks used in part include:
3) The Archaeology of Syria by Peter Akkermans and Glenn Schwartz, Cambridge University Press (2003)
4) Balkan Prehistory by Douglas W. Bailey, Routledge (2000)
5) The Early Neolithic in Greece: The First Farming Communities in Europe by Catherine Perlès and Gerard
Monthel, Cambridge University Press (2001)
For certain assignments you may find the TAY (Türkiye Arkeolojik Yerleşmeleri) website:
http://www.tayproject.org quite useful. Some journals are fortunately online and may be accessed from
campus. However, for your research papers and presentations you may need to use the DAI, RCAC and NIT
libraries located in Beyoğlu. This will require advanced planning and scheduling. Some of the journals in which
you may find articles are as listed:
American Journal of Archaeology, Anadolu, Anadolu Araştırmaları, Anatolia Antiqua , Anatolian Archaeology
(BIAA Reports), Anatolian Studies, Anatolica, Araştırma Sonuçları Toplantısı, Arkeometri Sonucları Toplantısı,
ArkeoAtlas, Arkeoloji ve Sanat, Belleten, Colloquium Anatolicum, Dil ve Tarih-Cografya Fakültesi Dergisi, İlgi ,
Istanbuler Forschungen, Istanbuler Mitteilungen, Kazı Sonuçları Toplantısı , Müze Kurtarma Kazıları Sonuçları
Toplantısı, Olba, Palmet, Studia Troica, Turk Arkeoloji Dergisi, TÜBA-AR , Türk Tarih Kongresi. Kongreye Sunulan
Bildiriler, Ülkü
ACADEMIC WRITING POLICIES: Plagiarism refers to the unacknowledged borrowing of others' ideas, words and
organization. Copying without citing the source and paraphrasing others’ ideas using different words are both
misdemeanors unless you acknowledge your source(s). Your written work especially with the essay question
should show your work. It should not be representing work or ideas developed through collaborative
discussions with your classmates.
For the essay assignment, students who wish to improve their grades may rewrite and revise their papers in
line with the comments they receive. For the final paper, this is not an option although you will have already
received comments for your outline and annotated bibliography.
Note: I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus as necessary.
LECTURE SCHEDULE
Associated Readings will be circulated in advance of classes
WEEK 1: February 7, Theme: Setting the Scene
• Introduction to the Class
_________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 2: February 14, Theme: The First Inhabitants of the Anatolian Paleolithic
• The Geography of Anatolia
• An Overview of the Anatolian Paleolithic Period
• Sites: Dursunlu, Kocabaş, Yarımburgaz, Karain, Kaletepe Deresi 3
_________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 3: February 21, Theme: The Upper Paleolithic & Epipaleolithic in Anatolia & the Fertile Crescent
• The Epipaleolitihic of Syria (the Kebaran and the Natufian)
• The Last Hunter-Gatherers of Anatolia
• Sites: Üçağızlı, Öküzini, Beldibi, Mureybet, Abu Hureyra
_______________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 4: February 28, Theme: The PPNA in Upper Mesopotamia
• The First Sedentary Hunter Gatherers of Anatolia the northern Fertile Crescent
• The Neolithic Revolution: A review of the literature
• Sites: Hallan Çemi, Demirköy, Çayönü, Körtik Tepe, Gusir Höyük,
MAPS DUE March 3 and 5:00 pm.
_______________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 5: March 7, Theme: Symbolism and Everyday Life in Pre-pottery Upper Mesopotamia
• PPNA and PPNB Evidence for Symbolism in Architecture and Burials
• Settlements of the PPNB
• Sites: Göbekli Tepe, Nevalı Çori, Mureybet, Dja’de Jerf-Ahmar
• Sites: Cafer Höyük, Çayönü
_______________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 6: March 14, Theme 1: The Collapse of a Horizon, the PPNC of Upper Mesopotamia
th
th
Theme 2: The 9 – 8 millennia in the Central Anatolian Steppe
• The PPNC Collapse
• Settling down in Central Anatolia
• Sites: Mezraa-Telleilat, Akarçaytepe, Salat Camii Yanı
th
• Sites: Pınarbaşı, Boncuklu and 9 millennium levels at Aşıklı Höyük, Pre-XII Çatalhöyük
_______________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 7: March 21, Theme: Redefining Ritual and Understanding Household Organization
• Central Anatolia in the Ceramic and Aceramic Neolithic
• Sites: Aşıklı Höyük, Musular, Çatalhöyük, Neolithic Tepecik Çiftlik, Neolithic Köşk Höyük
_______________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 8: March 28, Theme: The Neolithic of the Lakes Region
• The Neolithic of the Lakes Region
• Sites: Hacılar, Suberde, Erbaba, Kuruçay, Bademağacı, Höyücek
ESSAY DUE March 31
_______________________________________________________________________________
th
WEEK 9: April 4, Theme: The Spread of Agriculture to the West in the 7 millennium. Analysis of Theories
• West Anatolia and the Aegean in the Neolithic
• Sites: Ulucak, Yeşilova, Ege Gübre, Çukuriçi,
• Is there Neolitihic Occupation in North Central Turkey? A Case of Absence
• Theories on the Spread of Farming to Europe
THESIS STATEMENT AND PROJECT BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE April 14
________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 10: April 11 - BREAK WEEK – NO CLASSES
_________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 11: April 18, Theme: The Fikirtepe Culture and its Chalcolithic Successors
• Northwest Anatolia and the Aegean in the Neolithic
• Theories on the Spread of Farming to Europe continued
• Sites: Barcın, Fikirtepe, Ilıpınar, Aktopraklık, Menteşe, Uğurlu, Hoca Çeşme, Aşağıpınar
_________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 12: April 25, Theme: A Comparative Look at Housing and Settlement Organization
• The Chalcolithic of Central Anatolia and Cilicia
• Hassunan, Samarran and Halaf Influences in southeastern and eastern Turkey
• Sites: Can Hasan, Köşk Höyük, Mersin, Güvercinkayası,
• Domuztepe, Tell Kurdu, Hakemi Use, Til Huzur, Karavelyan
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY AND DETAILED PAPER OUTLINE DUE April 24
_________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 13: May 2, Theme: Cultural Contact and the Origins of Hierarchical Organization
• Halaf Period Influences continued
• The Ubaid Period and the Repercussions of Ubaid Culture Anatolia
• Sites: Tell Kurdu, Değirmentepe
_________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 14: May 9 Theme: The Millennia in the Middle: Asia Minor 5500-3000 BC
• The Chalcolithic of Western Turkey & The Lakes District, Elmalı Plain, Afrodisias Pekmez
• Sites: Gülpınar, Latmos, Dedecik Heybeli Tepe, Coşkuntepe, Kulaksızlar
• The Chalcolithic of North Central Turkey
• Çamlıbel Tarlası, Dündartepe, Tekeköy, Yarıkkaya, Büyük Güllücek, İkiztepe, Çadır Höyük
________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 15: May 16, Theme: Class Presentations
• Undergraduate Student Paper Presentations (15 minutes each + 5 minutes for questions)
• Graduate Student Paper Presentations (15 minutes each + 5 minutes for questions)
________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 16: Finals Week, Theme: Completing Research Paper.
• The Exact Deadline will be given at a later date. Deadlines will be strictly enforced. Late papers will
receive a grade deduction.