Kovuklukaya Höyük
Kovuklukaya Höyük
Chalcolithic–Late Bronze (4500–1200 BCE)·North-Central Anatolian·🇹🇷 Sinop Province, Black Sea, Turkey
About
About Kovuklukaya Höyük
Kovuklukaya Höyük in Sinop Province, Black Sea, Turkey is a Chalcolithic–Late Bronze (4500–1200 BCE) tell attributed to North-Central Anatolian. Fortified citadel controlling Black Sea–Central Anatolia route. Stratified deposits with radiocarbon sequence and imported materials trace long-distance exchange. Systematic and rescue excavations exposed houses, fortifications and craft zones preserved as a multi-period tell on aerial imagery.
Why it mattersKey North-Central Anatolian sequence for Sinop Province, Black Sea; defines regional chronology for Chalcolithic–Late Bronze.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Phasing precision vs radiocarbon plateau
- 02Ritual vs domestic architecture?
Theories
- 01Regional centre model
- 02ceremonial/territorial marker
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.4500–1200 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic–Late Bronze (4500–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- North-Central Anatolian
- Purpose
- Fortified citadel controlling Black Sea–Central Anatolia route
- Rediscovered
- 1983 survey; systematic excavations
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.4500
Initial founding / earliest level
c.2000 BCE
Major architectural rephase — walls and houses rebuilt in stone/mudbrick
1988
Modern systematic excavations / rescue programme
On the ground
Structures & features
41.6033° N · 34.8533° E · 420 m · 3 mapped features
Kovuklukaya Höyük — Central mound/acropolis
structureMain stratified summit with houses/fortifications and sequence
41.6036° N · 34.8535° EKovuklukaya Höyük — Lower town / extramural area
complexLower town or extramural cemetery/workshop zone
41.6029° N · 34.8536° EKovuklukaya Höyük — Craft / midden quarter
workshopWorkshop or midden with pottery and tools
41.6035° N · 34.8529° E
Gallery