Kültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12
Kültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12 North Annex · Kültepe Site
Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)·Chalcolithic–EBA·🇹🇷 Kayseri, Kültepe, Turkey
About
About Kültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12
Kültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12 in Kayseri, Kültepe, 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 38.8510N 35.6340E controls access to Kayseri 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 Kayseri, Kültepe, 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
- 1966 survey
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
Initial construction of Kültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12 main structure
c. 1906
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1966–2011
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Kültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
38.8510° N · 35.6340° E · 122 m · 4 mapped features
Kültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal tell — Mound 220 × 180 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
38.8518° N · 35.6349° EKültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12 — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
38.8500° N · 35.6333° EKültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
38.8525° N · 35.6352° EKültepe Buried Old Assyrian Archive House 12 — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
38.8494° N · 35.6329° E