Previous Research
Sirkeli – Previous Excavations
The first excavations at Sirkeli Höyük were conducted by J. Garstang (Liverpool) in 1936 (see Archaeological Finds, Columns Basis).
Between 1992–1996 excavations were resumed by the University of Munich and the Bavarian Academy of Sciences under the direction of B. Hrouda. In 1997 a further campaign was carried out by the University of Innsbruck under the direction of H. Ehringhaus. While Garstang only realized five small soundings, the excavations in the 1990s excavated larger areas in different parts of the ancient settlement, mainly concentrating on the main mound, the north-western part of the lower town/the northern plateau and the area in the vicinity of the rock reliefs close to the river (see Monuments, Rock Relief and Stone Building).
Stone Pavement and associated Walls (see fig. left).
Stone Pavement and associated Walls of
a larger building at the Northern Plateau.
In 2006 excavations were resumed once again by a joint research project in cooperation with the University of Tübingen and the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi. At the north-western part of the northern plateau of the lower town a massive stone pavement and associated walls were discovered.
The pottery found on the floor of this monumental building and within the walls suggest that it must probably date to the Late Bronze Age. The excavation of this complex will be continued in 2007.
Sketch of the Stone Pavement and associated Walls.