Kaman-Kalehöyük Buried Early Bronze Cistern
Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)·Chalcolithic–EBA·🇹🇷 Kırşehir, Kaman, Turkey
About
About Kaman-Kalehöyük Buried Early Bronze Cistern
Kaman-Kalehöyük Buried Early Bronze Cistern in Kırşehir, Kaman, Turkey is a Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE) tell attributed to Chalcolithic–EBA. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal mound 220 × 180 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 39.3590N 33.7860E controls access to Kırşehir resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey tell for Kırşehir, Kaman, illustrating Chalcolithic–EBA construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic–EBA
- Purpose
- Multi-period settlement mound with stratified urban sequence
- Rediscovered
- 1965 survey
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
Initial construction of Kaman-Kalehöyük Buried Early Bronze Cistern main structure
c. 1905
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1965–2010
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Kaman-Kalehöyük Buried Early Bronze Cistern) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
39.3590° N · 33.7860° E · 115 m · 3 mapped features
Kaman-Kalehöyük Buried Early Bronze Cistern — Main Structure
structurePrincipal tell — Mound 220 × 180 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
39.3598° N · 33.7869° EKaman-Kalehöyük Buried Early Bronze Cistern — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
39.3580° N · 33.7853° EKaman-Kalehöyük Buried Early Bronze Cistern — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
39.3605° N · 33.7872° E