As a result of 17 years of excavations at the Tepecik mound in the Chine district of Aydın province, archaeologists have uncovered an amazing structure believed to have been used as a palace or temple in the 13th century BC. In addition, jars that were used to store grain were also found. This discovery is of great interest to archaeologists and researchers as it helps to expand our knowledge of the ancient history of this region.
Tepecik Mound is located 5 kilometers west of the town of Chine in Aydın province. It is a strategically important site that links the valley to the Gulf of Gökova and its ports. Excavations on this mound have been conducted since 2004 under the direction of Prof. Sevinc Günel from Hacettepe University.
During the excavations, three towers, a room with items used by the rulers of the time for official visits and obsidian used for making tools were discovered. In 2021, archaeologists also uncovered a tile kiln, further expanding our knowledge of the ancient architecture and culture of the period.
Prof. Günel noted that the settlement had existed for 7,500 years and that they excavated the settlement and cultural layers from the 2000s BC. She also noted that the structure found at the Tepecik Mound has magnificent architecture and resembles a palace or temple architecture in pre-Asian archaeology. However, it is too early to draw final conclusions and a more precise determination will be possible after further research.
The jars found on the mound are also of great interest. They indicate the presence of a storage system under local administration and testify to the dynamic agricultural economy of the time. The remains inside the jars will be subjected to an archaeobotanical study to learn more about the agricultural products used during this period.
The discovery of a palace or temple on the Tepecik Mound opens new horizons for the study of the ancient history of Turkey and the region as a whole. It is a testament to the advanced architecture and culture of the time, as well as the importance of the site in the trade of obsidian and agricultural products.
