Observations on some finds with religious symbolism from the Early Bronze Age I settlement at Hacılar Büyük Höyük

Abstract

Excavations that started in 2011 at Hacılar Büyük Höyük, which is located 27 km southwest of Burdur, are still in progess. The EBA I settlement at the site consists of a strong defence system, which extends on a south to north axis in the western part of the mound, and some civilian buildings in the area closer to the centre of the settlement. No temple has yet been uncovered here but it is expected that, in the unexcavated central sections of the mound, not only sacred buildings but also some public buildings and a palace or ruler’s residence are likely to be found. Although no specific sacred architectural building in the form of temple has yet been found, some religious symbols have been uncovered in the form of unusual architectural remains and non-portables, such as stelae. In addition to these, some items that seem to symbolise religious beliefs and are thought to have been used in religious ceremonies, including a special purpose juglet, a pedestalled vessel, a pithos fragment with a depiction of a birth scene on it, and idols and pubis models related to belief in the Mother Goddess, were found in situ inside the houses or in areas near the stelae and in the courtyards of the casemates.

Keywords

• Early Bronze Age
• religious symbol
• stele
• giving birth scene
• idol
• unusual juglet