Pedasa’dan Erken Demir Çağ Başlarına Ait Mezar Platformları ve Urne Pithoslar

Abstract

Recent archaeological research and excavations undertaken at Caria provide significant information regarding the transitional stage from Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age as well as funerary architecture, burial customs and offerings of Early Iron Age. Throughout this cultural process, stone tumuli and platform-graves appear to be the major grave structures in Lelegian peninsula. Considering current information, we can safely say that rectangular platform-graves were in use starting from the beginning of 12th Century BC towards the mid-Archaic period. Platform-graves constructed on ground were encircled by a framing enclosure filled with rubble. Burial cists were small rectangular units embedded in rubble containing clusters of cremated remains. Excavated Pedasa and Asarlik platform-graves dating back to 12th and 11th centuries BC contain solely cremation burials. It seems that in some platform-graves there is a centrally placed pithos used as an urn. The arrangement of platformgrave 1 with a centrally positioned single pithos urn suggests that the structure was actually built for the deceased whose cremated remains were placed in it. However, it is not always the case since the pithos urn in platform grave 2 is not the earliest burial in the platform. Long term usage of the platform graves, ceramic grave goods placed in the rubble fill during the construction phase and ceramic sherds scattered in the fill must be the reflections of burial traditions of the community using the platform graves as family graves with strong signs of importance paid to grave cult and ancestor veneration. Among the grave goods are ceramic bowls; Carian examples of single handled bowls which is a typical form in the Aegean from late 12th to the beginning of 10th centuries BC. Asymmetrical arched fibulae with two tubular beads are among the typical fibula form common in Caria. Grave 1 must be related to an adolescent/female with its earring and grave 13 must belong to an adolescent/male with its sword/dagger. The use of pithos as cremation urn appears in Middle Bronze Age Anatolian cultures such as Demircihuyuk examples. It can also be followed in Western Anatolia (Troia, Ulucak) and Crete (Olous) along with the increase of cremation in the Late Bronze Age. Carian pithos urns attest that cremation urn practice was actually a continuous Late Bronze Age tradition without any interruption with increasing numbers observed in Western Anatolia and nearby islands starting from 10th century BC. Pedasa platform-graves containing pithos urns show close resemblance to Argos tumuli from 12th century BC, specifically Chania tumulus in regard to its arrangement with graves placed in a rubble fill. In Argos tumuli cremated remains were placed in an urn whereas in Pedasa and Asarlik they were deposited at burial cists. It is clear that the region has a strong Aegean identity in terms of material culture as Pedasa finds from 12th century BC reflect characteristic features of Late Helladic III C period. The platform-graves of Lelegian peninsula and Argos tumuli show close resemblance in terms of cremation being the main burial type and common features in ceramic finds compared to contemporary Aegean cultuRes. These similar patterns might bring new discussions on the possible routes and sources on mobility in the Aegean.