Koçboyu Höyük
Koçboyu Höyük · Koçboyu
Late Chalcolithic – Early Bronze (4000–3000 BCE)·Elazığ–Murat Chalcolithic·🇹🇷 Elazığ Province, Keban Reservoir, Turkey
About
About Koçboyu Höyük
Koçboyu Höyük in Elazığ Province, Keban Reservoir, Turkey is a Late Chalcolithic – Early Bronze (4000–3000 BCE) tell of Elazığ–Murat Chalcolithic tradition. River-terrace farming hamlet in Keban salvage zone. 4000 BCE, the site forms a stratified mound/karst tell 120×100 m, 6 m deposit, murat terrace. Excavations since the mid-20th c. expose wattle-and-daub and mudbrick with stone foundations, storage pits architecture with diagnostic ceramics, lithics and administrative finds.
Archaeobotany and radiocarbon anchor the sequence, informing regional Elazığ–Murat Chalcolithic networks across the Elazığ Province. Threats include reservoir fluctuations, erosion, looting; research continues on Elazığ–Murat Chalcolithic chronology.
Why it mattersType-site for Elazığ–Murat Chalcolithic Late Chalcolithic – Early Bronze (4000–3000 BCE) in Elazığ Province, Keban Reservoir; key for chronology, technology and interaction.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Elazığ–Murat Chalcolithic levels?
- 02Function of extramural cemetery?
Theories
- 01Demic diffusion vs local adoption
- 02Ritual aggregation centre
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.4000 BCE
- Period
- Late Chalcolithic – Early Bronze (4000–3000 BCE)
- Culture
- Elazığ–Murat Chalcolithic
- Purpose
- River-terrace farming hamlet in Keban salvage zone
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.4000 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1200 BCE
Major expansion / fortification phase
20th c.
Systematic excavation begins
On the ground
Structures & features
38.7800° N · 39.7200° E · 1050 m · 3 mapped features
- Koçboyu Höyük — Central MoundtellCentral mound with stratified architecture Levels I–IV38.7804° N · 39.7205° E
- Koçboyu Höyük — Lower Town WorkshopworkshopWorkshop/midden with pottery, slag or lithics38.7794° N · 39.7194° E
- Koçboyu Höyük — Cemetery/GatecemeteryExtramural cemetery or gate area38.7802° N · 39.7192° E