Tepecik Höyük (Çiftlik / Melendiz Plain)
Tepecik Höyük · Çiftlik Tepecik · Melendiz Tepecik
Aceramic Neolithic through Early Bronze (7000–2700 BCE)·Cappadocian Aceramic → Early Chalcolithic → Late Chalcolithic (Melendiz)·🇹🇷 Niğde Province, Çiftlik District, Melendiz plain, Cappadocia, Turkey
About
About Tepecik Höyük (Çiftlik / Melendiz Plain)
Tepecik Höyük (Çiftlik / Melendiz Plain) is a multi-period tell/ancient village in Niğde Province, Çiftlik District, Melendiz plain, Cappadocia, Turkey — Cappadocian Neolithic obsidian-processing village at Göllü Dağ foot — earliest Cappadocian settlement Excavated evidence reveals Cappadocian Aceramic → Early Chalcolithic → Late Chalcolithic (Melendiz) cultural horizons with pisé architecture. The mound 120×100 m, 10 m high; circular pisé houses 4 m diameter preserves pisé circular huts, lime-plastered pits, naviform obsidian cores technique.
Position on Niğde Province illustrates earliest cappadocian neolithic (~7000 bce) with göllü dağ obsidian production — revises central anatolian neolithisation.
Why it mattersEarliest Cappadocian Neolithic (~7000 BCE) with Göllü Dağ obsidian production — revises Central Anatolian Neolithisation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Circular huts — seasonal vs. permanent residence?
- 02Obsidian pressure vs. percussion technique?
Theories
- 01Biçakçı Cappadocian local Neolithisation vs. Fertile Crescent diffusion
- 02Melendiz obsidian workshop centralised debate
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.7000 BCE Early Neolithic; Late Chalcolithic 4000 BCE; EB II 2700 BCE
- Period
- Aceramic Neolithic through Early Bronze (7000–2700 BCE)
- Culture
- Cappadocian Aceramic → Early Chalcolithic → Late Chalcolithic (Melendiz)
- Builders
- Melendiz plain forager-farmer communities, obsidian workers
- Purpose
- Cappadocian Neolithic obsidian-processing village at Göllü Dağ foot — earliest Cappadocian settlement
- Abandoned
- c.2700 BCE EBA regional reorganisation
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 2000–present Biçakçı & Faydalı (Istanbul Univ)
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
2000
Biçakçı opens sounding, Aceramic levels with obsidian cores found
2012
C14 series pushes founding to 7000 BCE, among earliest Cappadocia
2020
Micro-wear confirms pressure blade production for long-distance trade
On the ground
Structures & features
38.1786° N · 34.4522° E · 1650 m · 3 mapped features
Aceramic Circular Pisé Hut Horizon
house7000 BCE circular pisé huts with central hearths
38.1788° N · 34.4524° EGöllü Dağ Obsidian Naviform Workshop
workshopNaviform core and pressure-blade workshop
38.1784° N · 34.4521° ELate Chalcolithic Kiln and Storage Pit Sector
kilnChalcolithic pottery kiln and plastered storage pits
38.1788° N · 34.4525° E