Göllü Dağ

Paleolithic and Neolithic

Excavation and pedestrian survey of the slopes of the Göllü Dağ mountain have revealed traces of human occupation extending back to the Lower Paleolithic^[4][5][6]. Remains of Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, as well as the Mousterian or Middle Paleolithic, are particularly common ^[5]. Excavations at the stratified Kaletepe Deresi 3 site brought to light evidence of Middle Paleolithic as well as earlier, Lower Palelolithic occupations with Acheulean handaxes^[6]. The ages of the earliest Acheulean occupation layers are not well understood. They are younger that the bedrock, which has been dated to approximately 1.0 million years ago, and older than an overlying layer of tephra dated to roughly 160,000 years ago^[6]

Excavations at the Kaletepe (Kömürcü) site revealed an extensive open-air workshop dating to the early Neolithic period. At this locality, obsidian was transformed into blades, most of which were transported away from the site^[7][8].

Obsidian trade

Göllü Dağ obsidian was extensively mined, processed and traded to distant areas as far as Cyprus and Syria during the Neolithic and later periods ^[9][10]. An artifact made from Göllü Dağ obsidian was discovered in an Upper Paleolithic layer in the Yabrud II rockshelter in Syria, some 700 km distant from the source^[11].^[12] Some of the areas where obsidian was processed on Göllü Dağ may be among the earliest such workshops in the world.^[13]

Iron Age

Neo-Hittite Tabal

During the early Iron Age period, Göllüdağ belonged to the Tabal state, which was also a part of the larger Tabal (region). High upon the mountain, a large settlement was found dating back to the 8th century BC, the period of Neo-Hittite civilization. The city here was surrounded by a stone wall; the important structures were also protected by a second wall.^[14] The largest building at the site, occupying the highest location, measures about 112 by 228 meters.

The lion statues found among the building remains are quite remarkable. Two large double portal lions, two portal lions, and two sphinxes have been discovered. They are now exhibited in the Nigde Museums.

In 2000, a bone fragment thought to belong to an ancestor of horses was found as the result of the erosion of the mountain slope.

Several structural similarities indicate that Göllüdağ was also associated with the settlement on Mount Kerkenes, which is located about 170km north.^[15]