LIFE ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION IN THE NEOLITHIC, CHALCOLITHIC, AND BRONZE AGES IN THE LIGHT OF THE STONE TOOLS FOUND IN THE ORDU AND SINOP MUSEUM

Abstract

Through short-term excavations carried out in the settlements of Dündartepe, Kaledoruğu, and Tekkeköy in Samsun, significant data has been gathered regarding the prehistory and protohistory periods of the Central Black Sea Region. The study involved comparing stone tools found in the aforementioned sites to those found in Sinop/Kovuklukaya Mound, Sinop/Maltepe Mound, Ordu, and Sinop Museums, to classify and evaluate their typology and functionality. Additionally, this study has contributed to the identification of stone tools, the determination of their types, usage areas, and dating. The main sources of livelihood for these settlements during the Late Chalcolithic Age were primarily animal husbandry, followed by agriculture. Stone tools were widely used, but metal tools were also employed in vital activities, despite their scarcity. The finds examined included stone axes, arrows, ceremonial axes, hand stones or mortars, and cutting tools. The finds were generally dated to the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Bronze Age ranges. Notably, although no Neolithic settlements had been identified in the Black Sea Region previously, the Neolithic finds from this study may indicate that the region was inhabited during this period.

Keywords

• ordu museum, sinop museum, stone tool, stone axe, cutting tools