Basic Research on Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages in Ephesos

Aim of this project is the first systematic scientific research of prehistory in the region of Ephesos. The focus is the archaeological definition in a wider interdisciplinary project of a settlement mound (tell site) called ukuriçi Höyük, which is situated outside of the later antique city of Ephesos. Trial excavations, which had already been done by the applicant document a continuous settlement on this site in Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages. From the perspective of the supra-regional cultural and historical interrelations in these periods, the region of Ephesos represents not only the crossroads of different cultures, but also of different traditions in research on prehistoric archaeology. With reference to the micro-regional background, answers can be gained on two levels: on the one hand, the social structure of the indigenous population and its change since the 4th millennium BC, and on the other, the population`s association with possible communication networks and their position within assumed small zones of contact. Analyses of individual elements thereby can consequently contribute to evidence regarding the continuity and discontinuity in the socio-economical development of the local population in the area of Ephesos. Another comprehensive complex of inquiries concerns subsistence strategies and the economic basis of the inhabitants in the area of Ephesos during the 4th and 3rd millennium BC, which can be traced in connection with archaeobotanical and archaeozoological studies at the tell. The basis of the comprehension of this settlement site will be built on the relative and absolute chronology, which should be done by analysing the material remains in its whole spectrum. The second focus will be on the integration of the Ionian coast into supra-regional questions, like the development of earliest metallurgy and its metal resources, structures of product exchange and long-distance traffic, influence and contact zones between Anatolia and the Aegean, cultural continuities and discontinuities. The main approach of research is the excavation of the in tell in selected areas, which should be connected with a wide interdisciplinary spectrum of methods, like archaeozoology, archaeobotanic, geology, geophysic, metallurgy, readiocarbon-dating, mineralogy and petrography.

The main aim of the project about "Basic Research on the Copper and Bronze Ages in Ephesos" (1.6.2007- 31.7.2010; Projektno. P19859-G02) was a first systematic scientific research of prehistory in this region (s. also www.barbarahorejs.at). The project was conducted with permission and support of the Austrian Archaeological Institute/Ephesos excavation (director S. Ladstätter www.oeai.at). This project was mainly focused on the archaeological definition of a settlement mound (tell) called ukuriçi Höyük, which is located outside of the later antique city of Ephesos, embedded in an interdisciplinary project. With reference to the micro-regional background, our research was mainly focused on the topography and environmental changes, subsistence strategies and economic basis in the area during the 7th/6th and 4th to 3rd millennium BC as well as on changing of settlements and social structures. In order to achieve an integrated picture the research was based on the excavation of the tell in significant areas, where a broad spectrum of methods are applied, like archaeozoology, archaeobotany, geology, geophysics, metallurgy, mineralogy and petrography. After trial excavations in 2006, further excavations have been conducted in three campaigns between 2007 and 2009. Additionally, geo-archaeological drillings, geophysical surveys and diverse material analyses have been carried out; studies of artifacts were initiated and are partially finished. Team Project director: Barbara Horejs Archaeozoology: Dr. Alfred Galik Archaeobotany: PD Dr. Ursula Thanheiser Archaeometallurgy: Prof. Dr. Ernst Pernicka, Mag. Mathias Mehofer Material Analyses: Prof. Dr. Ernst Pernicka Radiocarbon dating: Dr. Bernhard Weninger Anthropology: Dr. Fabian Kanz Geophysics: Posselt und Zickgraff Palaeogeography: Prof. Dr. Helmut Brückner Digital recording: Dr. Thomas Urban Excavation engineer: Mario Börner, Anja Buhlke Early Bronze Age small finds: Mag. Rouven Turck Photography: Nikolas Gail