Höyücek (Höyücek Höyük / Burdur Sanctuary)
Höyücek · Höyücek Höyük · Bucak Höyücek
Late Neolithic through Early Bronze (6400–2700 BCE)·Burdur–Antalya Late Neolithic → Early Chalcolithic shrine phase → Lakes EBA·🇹🇷 Burdur Province, Bucak District, Burdur–Antalya foothills, Turkey
About
About Höyücek (Höyücek Höyük / Burdur Sanctuary)
Höyücek (Höyücek Höyük / Burdur Sanctuary) is a multi-period tell/ancient village in Burdur Province, Bucak District, Burdur–Antalya foothills, Turkey — Neolithic–Chalcolithic sanctuary village with painted shrines and mother-goddess figurines Excavated evidence reveals Burdur–Antalya Late Neolithic → Early Chalcolithic shrine phase → Lakes EBA cultural horizons with mudbrick architecture. The mound 90×70 m, 7 m high; shrine phase houses 6×4 m preserves stone-footed mudbrick, lime-plastered shrine walls with wall paintings, figurine deposits technique. Position on Burdur Province illustrates only burdur lakes neolithic shrine with in situ mother-goddess assemblage — early cult architecture.
Why it mattersOnly Burdur Lakes Neolithic shrine with in situ mother-goddess assemblage — early cult architecture.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Figurine deposit — deliberate burial or collapse?
- 02Wall paintings — narrative or symbolic?
Theories
- 01Duru Anatolian mother-goddess vs. Near Eastern shrine model
- 02Hacılar–Höyücek cultural sequence debate
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.6400 BCE Late Neolithic founding; Early Chalcolithic shrines 6000 BCE; EBA hamlet 2700 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic through Early Bronze (6400–2700 BCE)
- Culture
- Burdur–Antalya Late Neolithic → Early Chalcolithic shrine phase → Lakes EBA
- Builders
- Burdur Lakes Neolithic communities
- Purpose
- Neolithic–Chalcolithic sanctuary village with painted shrines and mother-goddess figurines
- Abandoned
- c.2700 BCE EBA hiatus
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1989–1992 Duru (Istanbul Univ)
- Excavation
- Excavated
1989
Duru opens Höyücek, shrine phase with figurines found
1992
Wall paintings and clay figurine cache published
2008
Re-study ties Höyücek to Hacılar Late Neolithic sequence
On the ground
Structures & features
37.5453° N · 30.5436° E · 850 m · 3 mapped features
Early Chalcolithic Shrine Phase (Painted Walls)
shrine6000 BCE shrine houses with wall paintings
37.5454° N · 30.5437° EMother-Goddess Figurine Cache Deposit
depositClay mother-goddess figurines in shrine floor deposit
37.5451° N · 30.5435° ELate Neolithic Foundation Horizon
sounding6400 BCE founding levels with impressed wares
37.5453° N · 30.5436° E