This article modifies an old archaeological adage—"excavation is destruction"—to demonstrate how advances in practice suggest a new iteration: "excavation digitization." Digitization, fully digital paradigm, refers to practices that leverage onsite, image-based modeling and volumetric recording, integrated databases, data sharing. Such were implemented 2014 during the inaugural season of Kaymakçı Archaeological Project (KAP) western Turkey. The KAP recording system, developed from inception...

Abstract Microtopographic mapping has a long history in archaeology and gained prominence recently owing to the proliferation of digital technologies. With such proliferation, it becomes necessary compare contrast different approaches based on common set criteria. This article compares implementation efficiency two methods microtopography – ground-based Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK GNSS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Photogrammetry (UAVP) survey assessing pros cons...

This paper explores pig husbandry across the Aegean and Anatolia based on zooarchaeological data ancient texts. The western Anatolian citadel of Kaymakçı is departure point for discussion, as it sits in Mycenaean-Hittite interaction zone provides a uniquely large assemblage bones. NISP, mortality, biometric from 38 additional sites Greece allows observation intra- interregional variation role pigs subsistence economies, management, size characteristics. Results show that, first, abundance at...

This article presents previously unknown archaeological evidence of a mid-second-millennium bc kingdom located in central western Anatolia. Discovered during the work Central Lydia Archaeological Survey Marmara Lake basin Gediz Valley Turkey, material appears to correlate well with text-based reconstructions Late Bronze Age historical geography drawn from Hittite archives. One site particular—Kaymakçı—stands out as regional capital and results systematic survey allow for an understanding...

Current understandings of the archaeology second-millennium B.C.E. central western Anatolia are enriched by ongoing research at Kaymakçı, located in Marmara Lake basin middle Gediz River valley Turkey. Discovered during regional survey 2001, site offers a critical node exploration for understanding previously unexamined period well-traversed geography thought to be core Late Bronze Age Seha Land known from Hittite texts. Here we present results first three seasons excavation on citadel...

Diachronic survey in the Marmara Lake basin of western Turkey confirms long-term settlement activity from 5th millennium b.c. to present. Here we present results a study ceramics and distribution pertaining Chalcolithic through Iron Age periods (ca. 5th/4th–1st b.c.). Our dataset value multi-pronged approach when establishing ceramic typologies datasets, incorporating landscape with macroscopic, microscopic (petrographic), chemical (Instrumental Neutron Activation) analyses. offer valuable...

In both western Turkey and the Levant, archaeology has a long history, with rise in interest discovery beginning late eighteenth early nineteenth centuries. While many have focused on history of excavations these areas, we approach historical analyses from different perspective. Utilizing voices local actors, this article aims to understand social reactions communities increasingly prominent role people practicing — archaeologists, diplomats, explorers through lens antiquities trade over...

Abstract 3D data captured from archaeological excavations are frequently left to speak for themselves. models of objects uploaded online viewing platforms, the tops or bottoms surfaces visualised in 2.5D, both reduced 2D representations. Representations excavation units, particular, often remain incompletely processed as raw surface outputs, unable be considered individual entities that represent individual, volumetric units excavation. Visualisations such surfaces, whether point clouds...

The Middle and Late Bronze Ages of western Anatolia (modern Turkey) remains poorly understood in comparison with its Mycenaean Hittite neighbours, especially agricultural economies land use. Kaymakçı is the largest Age citadel excavated to date new archaeobotanical zooarchaeological data from site presented here shed light on regional Agricultural practices at focused barley bitter vetch farming pig, caprine, cattle husbandry within a diverse extensive economic system that made substantial...

AbstractAbstractRegional archaeological research in Lydia (western Turkey) has focused on prehistoric and Hellenistic through Byzantine periods with relative neglect of settlement patterns during the period which was under Lydian and, subsequently, Persian control 7th 4th centuries B.C. A multi-component project conducted 2000 2001 aimed to establish Lydian- Persian-period a regional survey targeting tumuli (burial mounds) documentation primarily unpublished archives provenienced finds local...

In 2005 the Central Lydia Archaeological Survey (CLAS) identified an open-air Lower Paleolithic site called Bozyer near Lake Marmara in province of Manisa, Turkey. Intensive survey 2008 resulted collection over 300 stone tools. Subsequent systematic analysis attributed 189 these lithics to a industry. The assemblage is characterized by flakes and retouched flake tools, many which were produced with bipolar flaking technique; preferential use locally available quartz quartzite chert; low...

Abstract Digital technologies have been at the heart of fieldwork Kaymakçı Archaeological Project (KAP) since its beginning in 2014. All data on this excavation are born-digital, from textual, photographic, and videographic descriptions contexts objects a database journals to 2D plans profiles as well 3D volumetric recording contexts. The integration structure motion (SfM) modeling various products has had an especially strong impact how project participants interact with archaeological...

This article presents a group of graveside monuments particular to western Anatolia in the sixth through fourth centuries B.C.E. Unified by their depiction door, stelae discussed here can be divided into two groups, each showing varying degrees Phrygian, Greek, and Achaemenid Persian influence: Group A begins mid late century represents door with architectural embellishments; B appears fifth incorporates also elements anthemion stelae. None blocked passages original contexts; rather, they...

Ceramics are one of the commonest sources archaeological information, yet their abundance often confounds documentation and analysis. This article presents a new method documenting analyzing ceramics that includes laser-aided profile measurement to capture ceramic shape other information quickly accurately, resulting in digital outputs suitable for both publication morphometric Linked software database solutions enable unsupervised machine learning cluster shapes based on similarity,...

Shallow conical depressions hewn into bedrock, known as cup-marks, have been documented at and around 2nd-millennium B.C.E. citadels in the Marmara Lake basin of Gediz Valley, western Anatolia. These rupestral features are among best indications presence libation ceremonies region provide evidence that local communities shared cultural traditions spread over central Libation rituals were probably intended to summon divine for protection, stewardship dead, and/or assurance agricultural...

Abstract Mudbrick is a challenging material to interpret, maintain, and preserve in terms of planning treatment decision-making—especially when recovered during archaeological excavation. Further challenges exist where mudbrick remains have been exposed abandoned, as interactions with the environment (especially water wind) introduce additional dissolution damage resource. In this paper, we present multidisciplinary research focused on interpretation preservation ancient vernacular...