AN AEOLIC OR YÖRÜK GRAVESTONE, A CAPITAL, OR AN ANICONIC CULT OBJECT? PRELIMINARY THOUGHTS ON THE NEW TYPE OF VOLUTED STONE OBJECTS FROM AEOLIS

Abstract

This paper presents a new type of stone objects within the boundaries of the Aeolis region. One of them is found in an old Turkish cemetery next to Kale Tepe, north of Dumanlı Mountain, and the rest found in and around of the Samurlu Turkish cemetery. Objects in question are particularly interesting for both their size and shapes. They are not similar to any other known archaeological or ethnological object. Despite the Kale Tepe and Samurlu examples were found in Turkish cemeteries, they are also so close to the known ancient sites or related necropolises. In Samurlu Cemetery, there are so many spolia architectural elements which reflect the traces of an ancient settlement here. The characteristic of those architectural elements makes us think about the existence of a temple here. Similarly, Kale Tepe, where the one of the examples was found, gives the impression of a Persian garrison. Although the archaeological findings of here and its surroundings date back to the 7th and 6th centuries BC, the density of the finds indicates the 5th and 4th centuries BC. In this study, we will try to convey our thoughts on the purpose of use of the objects in question in the light of examples we have identified in the field and others reported to us by our colleagues.

Keywords

• aeolis
• aniconic
• gravestone
• aphrodite
• hagne thea
• classical period.