Boncuklu Tarla
Boncuklu Tarla · Boncuklu Field · Boncuklu Tarla Höyük
PPNA through PPNB and early Pottery Neolithic·PPNA/PPNB Pre-Pottery Neolithic (Euphrates-Tigris transitional)·🇹🇷 Mardin Province, Dargeçit, Upper Tigris — Ilısu north bank, Turkey
About
About Boncuklu Tarla
Major Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlement (c.10300–7200 BCE) with 13500 m² classic PPNA-PPNB communal architecture — Ergül Kodaş (Mardin Artuklu University & Museum) excavated since 2012 under Ilısu Dam salvage, revealing 6 successive villages. Star finds: 20-m-diameter communal pillared building with T-pillar–like limestone stelae (Göbekli cousin), 150+ burials under house floors, 10,000+ ground stone tools. PPNA circular → PPNB rectilinear transition fully stratified. Obsidian from Bingöl/Nemrut, early einkorn cultivation, boar-heavy fauna. Overlooks Tigris 2 km west.
Why it mattersLargest PPNA-PPNB stratified village sequence in Upper Tigris; 20 m pillared communal hall links Göbekli ritual to household domestication.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Was communal hall Göbekli shrine analogue or chief's house scaled up?
- 02Why Boncuklu persists 3000 yr while nearby Hallan abandoned early?
Theories
- 01Kodaş continuity T-pillar→PPNB rectangle vs Watkins Göbekli ritual-special site
- 02Upper Tigris vs Middle Euphrates PPNB domestication tempo
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.10300 cal BP PPNA foundation; PPNB 8800–7200 BCE rectilinear phase
- Period
- PPNA through PPNB and early Pottery Neolithic
- Culture
- PPNA/PPNB Pre-Pottery Neolithic (Euphrates-Tigris transitional)
- Builders
- PPNA foragers → PPNB cultivators continuing same kin territory
- Purpose
- Large communal-gathering and intramural burial village on Tigris terrace
- Abandoned
- c.7200 BCE gradual PN village shrinkage
- Rediscovered
- Discovered 2008 survey; excavated 2012–present Kodaş (Mardin Museum / Artuklu)
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
2012
Kodaş opens Trench A, reveals T-pillar row
2019
20 m communal structure with stelae reported (Nat. Geographic)
On the ground
Structures & features
37.5540° N · 41.8320° E · 520 m · 3 mapped features
Communal Building 1 (20 m)
communal structure20 m circular hall with limestone stelae rows
37.5543° N · 41.8323° EPPNA burial house level 3
settlement135 burials under plaster floors
37.5541° N · 41.8321° EPPNB rectilinear quarter
settlementRectilinear grid houses on upper mound
37.5539° N · 41.8322° E
Gallery