A Neolithic sedentary hunter–gatherer settlement with densely arranged buildings: results of geophysical prospection at Hasankeyf Höyük in south‐eastern Anatolia

Abstract

AbstractRecent archaeological studies revealed that the Neolithic hunter–gatherers in south‐eastern Anatolia established highly developed settlements with evidence of the production of sophisticated symbolic artefacts, the existence of long‐distance trade, and elaborated burial practices. Their social organization was complex and can even be compared with that of the Levantine Early Pre‐Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) farming society. The presence of such highly developed hunter–gatherer settlements requires a reconsideration of the neolithization process. However, a complete understanding of the sizes and plans of the settlements remains lacking because excavations so far have only been conducted in limited areas of the sites.This article presents the results of geophysical investigations using magnetometric and ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys at the hunter–gatherer site of Hasankeyf Höyük in south‐eastern Anatolia. The results showed that a combination of magnetometric and GPR methods complementarily provides better prospection of sub‐surface structures than a single method does. In addition, this research has demonstrated that the Neolithic hunter–gatherers at Hasankeyf Höyük established a sedentary village with densely arranged buildings, which had not previously been substantiated at any other Neolithic site in south‐eastern Anatolia.