Küllüoba Höyük South Extension
Küllüoba South · Kulluoba Hoyuk South Trench
Early Bronze Age (3200–1950 BCE)·West Anatolian Early Bronze → Hittite scatter·🇹🇷 Eskişehir Province, Seyitgazi District, Central Anatolia, Turkey
About
About Küllüoba Höyük South Extension
Küllüoba Höyük South Extension exposes the EBA II–III domestic quarter 80 m south of the central burnt compound (Level II). Efe's excavations reveal two superimposed burnt horizons (EBA II 2650–2550 BCE) with in situ storage jars, clay sealings and arsenical-copper slag — a proto-urban neighbourhood contemporary with Karataş and Demircihöyük-Sarıket. The south trench stratigraphy closes the gap between northwest Anatolian EBA and Beycesultan, making Küllüoba the type-site for EB II chronology in inner west Anatolia.
Why it mattersCloses EBA II–III gap in inner NW Anatolia — anchor for 3300–1950 BCE stratigraphic sequence
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Cause of twin burnt horizons — conflict or ritual burning?
- 02Southern limit of Küllüoba lower town — geomagnetic edge?
Theories
- 01Efe compound model: elite enclosure with attached artisan quarter
- 02Türkteki EBA II collapse vs. continuity discontinuity
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.3200 BCE EBA I; south quarter 2600 BCE (EBA II)
- Period
- Early Bronze Age (3200–1950 BCE)
- Culture
- West Anatolian Early Bronze → Hittite scatter
- Builders
- EBA Anatolian villagers, later Phrygian squatters
- Purpose
- South extension of Küllüoba EBA town — domestic quarter with burnt destruction levels south of central compound
- Abandoned
- c.1950 BCE end EBA III
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1996–present Turan Efe & Ay-Efe
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
1996
Efe opens south extension trench, EBA II burnt horizon found
2008
Arsenical-copper slag and sealings published (Efe & Ay-Efe)
2021
Türkteki radiocarbon 2650–2550 BCE Levels IVD–IVC dated
On the ground
Structures & features
39.5900° N · 30.6400° E · 970 m · 3 mapped features
South Domestic Quarter Burnt Horizon (EBA II)
settlementTwo burnt destruction levels with in situ jars and copper slag 2650–2550 BCE
39.5908° N · 30.6406° EArsenical-Copper Slag Concentration
workshopMetallurgical debris — early west Anatolian copper working south of compound
39.5893° N · 30.6391° EMudbrick Terrace Wall (South Enclosure)
fortificationStone-socle terrace retaining south quarter, EBA II masonry trace
39.5911° N · 30.6407° E