Öküzini Cave
Öküzini Mağarası · Ox Cave
Upper Palaeolithic to Early Neolithic (c.21,000–6000 BCE; intensive 17,000–11,800 cal BP)·Anatolian Epipalaeolithic → Early Neolithic·🇹🇷 Antalya Province, Döşemealtı, Katran piedmont, Turkey
About
About Öküzini Cave
Twin cave 900 m NE of Karain at the Katran foothills, the Epipalaeolithic flagship (17,000–11,800 cal BP) with Upper Palaeolithic mobiliary engravings, micro-burins, marine shells and ox-relief namesake. Kartal excavations revealed three burials and Göllü Dağ obsidian documenting LGM-Holocene foragers.
Why it mattersType Epipalaeolithic sequence for SW Anatolia (17–11.8 ka) with engraved plaquettes and marine shell network.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Source of Cappadocian obsidian in 15 ka levels?
Theories
- 01Mediterranean shell-string exchange (Otte) vs local manufacture
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Natural cave occupied c.21,000 cal BP
- Period
- Upper Palaeolithic to Early Neolithic (c.21,000–6000 BCE; intensive 17,000–11,800 cal BP)
- Culture
- Anatolian Epipalaeolithic → Early Neolithic
- Builders
- Anatolian Epipalaeolithic communities
- Purpose
- Epipalaeolithic hunter base with mobiliary art and shell workshop
- Rediscovered
- Modern archaeological survey/ rescue
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.17,000 cal BP
Epipalaeolithic microlithic occupation starts
c.12,500 cal BP
Mobiliary engravings peak
1956
Kökten discovery; Otte 1989–2001 systematics
c.6000 BCE
Neolithic hearths
On the ground
Structures & features
37.0856° N · 30.5812° E · 415 m · 3 mapped features
Öküzini Cave — East gate
wallKey sub-area of Öküzini Cave (Upper Palaeolithic to Early Neolithic) showing Anatolian Epipalaeolithic horizon
37.0849° N · 30.5809° EÖküzini Cave — West workshop
gateKey sub-area of Öküzini Cave (Upper Palaeolithic to Early Neolithic) showing Anatolian Epipalaeolithic horizon
37.0857° N · 30.5815° EÖküzini Cave — Ceremonial building
moundKey sub-area of Öküzini Cave (Upper Palaeolithic to Early Neolithic) showing Anatolian Epipalaeolithic horizon
37.0865° N · 30.5821° E
Gallery