Cappadocia Göreme Dark Church Narthex
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇹🇷 Nevşehir, Göreme, Turkey
About
About Cappadocia Göreme Dark Church Narthex
Cappadocia Göreme Dark Church Narthex in Nevşehir, Göreme, Turkey is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 38.6400N 34.8310E controls access to Nevşehir resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Nevşehir, Göreme, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1983 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Cappadocia Göreme Dark Church Narthex main structure
c. 1923
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1983–2013
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Cappadocia Göreme Dark Church Narthex) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
38.6400° N · 34.8310° E · 241 m · 3 mapped features
Cappadocia Göreme Dark Church Narthex — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
38.6408° N · 34.8319° ECappadocia Göreme Dark Church Narthex — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
38.6390° N · 34.8303° ECappadocia Göreme Dark Church Narthex — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
38.6415° N · 34.8322° E