The people of Diyarbakir / Salat Tepe in the chalcolithic and Middle Bronze Age


Başoğlu O., Kırmızıoğlu P., Pehlevan C., Yiğit A., Cem Erkman A.

Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, vol.15, no.3, pp.237-247, 2015 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 15 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.5281/zenodo.32066
  • Journal Name: Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.237-247
  • Keywords: Anthropology, Middle Bronze Age, Paleodemography, Paleopathology, Stature
  • Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University Affiliated: No

Abstract

In this study, 21 skeletons, obtained from rescue excavations conducted in Diyarbakır/Salat Tepe (Salat Hill) flooded by a lake formed by the Ilısu Dam, were examined in terms of paleopathology, paleodemography, morphology and non-metric features. The analysis of archaeological and anthropological findings reveal that the Salat Tepe people dated back to the Middle Bronze Age. Their small socio-economic structure based on agriculture, and the inhabitants lived a modest life in harsh conditions. The evidence of small and local agriculture, rather than being an advanced agricultural society, shows that Diyarbakır/Salat Tepe people share the general characteristics of ancient Anatolian societies of the period.