Karahöyük (Elbistan)
Karahöyük (Elbistan) · Karahoyuk Elbistan · Karahöyük-Elbistan
Early Bronze Age to Medieval (peak MBA–Hittite–Iron)·EB Anatolian → Hittite → Neo-Hittite/Tabal → Armenian Medieval·🇹🇷 Kahramanmaraş Province, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey
About
About Karahöyük (Elbistan)
Large Elbistan Plain mound (300 × 250 m, 22 m high) dominating the Ceyhan headwaters, second only to Tilmen in the plain. Soundings show EB III–MB painted wares, Hittite Empire fortifications with hieroglyphic sealing, and Iron–Neo-Hittite levels linking Malatya–Carchemish corridor. Medieval Armenian fortress caps the mound. Key to north-Syrian–Central Anatolian interaction via the Elbistan pass.
Why it mattersKey Kahramanmaraş Province, Eastern Anatolia sequence for Early Bronze Age to Medieval (peak MBA–Hittite–Iron); regional centre controlling elbistan pass between central anatolia and upper euphrates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Karahöyük (Elbistan) relative to neighbouring centres?
Theories
- 01Regional centre hypothesis for Kahramanmaraş Province
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- EB III c.2700 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze Age to Medieval (peak MBA–Hittite–Iron)
- Culture
- EB Anatolian → Hittite → Neo-Hittite/Tabal → Armenian Medieval
- Builders
- EB Anatolian communities
- Purpose
- Regional centre controlling Elbistan pass between Central Anatolia and Upper Euphrates
- Abandoned
- c. 600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 20th century survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1960
Foundation/earliest horizon
1980
Major excavations
2020
Conservation/monitoring
On the ground
Structures & features
38.2200° N · 37.1800° E · 1150 m · 2 mapped features
Hittite fortification
fortificationEmpire-period wall with timber lacing and sealing debris
38.2202° N · 37.1803° EEB III painted ware quarter
workshopDomestic quarter with Elbistan Painted Ware kilns
38.2198° N · 37.1797° E