Mysteria
Tarsus — Gözlükule Lower Terrace
Verified36.9200° N · 34.8800° E · 25 m

Tarsus — Gözlükule Lower Terrace

Gözlükule · Gözlükule Höyük South · Tarsus Höyük Lower Town

Neolithic to Ottoman (6000 BCE–1500 CE)·Neolithic → EBA → Hittite → Neo-Assyrian → Hellenistic → Roman·🇹🇷 Mersin Province, Tarsus District, Berdan River plain, Turkey

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About

About Tarsus — Gözlükule Lower Terrace

Gözlükule Lower Terrace is the 8 ha Iron Age southern apron below the 17 ha 33 m high Tarsus mound (Gözlükule) excavated by Hetty Goldman (1934–49). Neolithic-EBA to Ottoman sequence; Hititte Cilician palace (Boğazköy–Tarsus connection), Neo-Assyrian governor's residence with orthostats, Hellenistic–Roman street grid and Islamic pottery kilns. Lower terrace produced LBA Hittite sealings (Tarsus bulla) and Luwian Hieroglyphic blocks.

Why it mattersReference type-site for Cilicia linking Syrian and Plateau cultures; first Hittite stratigraphy outside Hattusa.

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Rhegma lagoon port location since silted?

Theories

  1. 01Goldman: Tarsus as Tarzu/Tarsha Hittite border capital

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.6000 BCE (Neolithic)
Period
Neolithic to Ottoman (6000 BCE–1500 CE)
Culture
Neolithic → EBA → Hittite → Neo-Assyrian → Hellenistic → Roman
Builders
Neolithic villagers then Hittite kings
Purpose
Cilician plain capital controlling Amanus pass and port of Rhegma lagoon
Abandoned
Ottoman reoccupation nearby
Rediscovered
1860s Langlois; 1934 Goldman Bryn Mawr
Excavation
Partially excavated

  1. 1934–1949

    Goldman Bryn Mawr excavations

  2. c.1300 BCE

    Hittite palace with sealings and Luwian blocks

On the ground

Structures & features

36.9200° N · 34.8800° E · 25 m · 3 mapped features

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