Since 2011, an archaeological mission of ISAW and Pavia University have started excavating a tell at Kınık Höyük, southern Cappadocia (http://www.kinikhoyuk.org). This region played a strategic role from prehistory up to modern times due to its geographical position on the route connecting the Central Anatolian plateau to Cilicia, through the Taurus passes, and far beyond to Syria and Mesopotamia. Despite its importance, so far the province of Niğde has received little attention from scholars, particularly as regards the Bronze and Iron Ages. With a view to bridging this gap, our team from the University of Pavia carried out an archaeological survey in the region between 2006 and 2009, followed by a 10-year project of excavations. From two operations in the mound a series of fragmentary terracotta statuettes, mostly from Hellenistic times, has been recovered. Most of them represent birds of prey, but bovines, lions and horses are attested as well. A minor number depict female figurines. The purpose of this paper will be to present them, in order to address questions such as their production areas (and commercial routes involved), production techniques, iconographies and function
Terracottas from Kınık Höyük, Southern Cappadocia: a Preliminary Overview
Gorrini
2022-01-01
Abstract
Since 2011, an archaeological mission of ISAW and Pavia University have started excavating a tell at Kınık Höyük, southern Cappadocia (http://www.kinikhoyuk.org). This region played a strategic role from prehistory up to modern times due to its geographical position on the route connecting the Central Anatolian plateau to Cilicia, through the Taurus passes, and far beyond to Syria and Mesopotamia. Despite its importance, so far the province of Niğde has received little attention from scholars, particularly as regards the Bronze and Iron Ages. With a view to bridging this gap, our team from the University of Pavia carried out an archaeological survey in the region between 2006 and 2009, followed by a 10-year project of excavations. From two operations in the mound a series of fragmentary terracotta statuettes, mostly from Hellenistic times, has been recovered. Most of them represent birds of prey, but bovines, lions and horses are attested as well. A minor number depict female figurines. The purpose of this paper will be to present them, in order to address questions such as their production areas (and commercial routes involved), production techniques, iconographies and functionI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
