Zeytinli Bahçe Step Trench East
Zeytinli Bahce East · Birecik Step Trench
Pre-Pottery Neolithic to Late Chalcolithic (9700–3500 BCE)·PPN → Halaf → Ubaid → Late Chalcolithic·🇹🇷 Şanlıurfa Province, Birecik District, Euphrates Left Bank Terrace, Turkey
About
About Zeytinli Bahçe Step Trench East
Zeytinli Bahçe Step Trench East is the eastern step-trench sounding of Zeytinli Bahçe on the Euphrates left bank 5 km north of Birecik — the Neolithic step-trench key from PPN (9700 BCE) to Late Chalcolithic. Frangipane's step trench exposes PPN circular pisé structures with lime floors, Halaf tholoi with polychrome ware, and a Late Chalcolithic Uruk-contact level with bevelled bowls — the Neolithic–Chalcolithic terrace sequence linking Mezraa PPN to Kurban Late Uruk on the lower Euphrates left bank.
Why it mattersPPN–Uruk step-trench sequence Euphrates — 9700–3500 BCE left-bank key north of Birecik
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01PPN circular structures — rectilinear transition timing?
- 02Late Uruk bevelled bowls at Zeytinli — trade or colony?
Theories
- 01Frangipane–Özdoğan Euphrates Neolithic-Chalcolithic continuity Zeytinli
- 02Left-bank Euphrates Neolithic corridor Mezraa–Zeytinli–Kurban
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.9700 BCE PPN founding; Halaf 5600 BCE; Ubaid 5000 BCE
- Period
- Pre-Pottery Neolithic to Late Chalcolithic (9700–3500 BCE)
- Culture
- PPN → Halaf → Ubaid → Late Chalcolithic
- Builders
- PPN cultivators, Halaf villagers, Ubaid chiefs
- Purpose
- Step trench east of Zeytinli Bahçe mound — PPN to Late Chalcolithic step-trench sequence on Euphrates terrace 5km N Birecik, Euphrates Neolithic key
- Abandoned
- c.3500 BCE Late Chalcolithic reorganisation
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1999–2005 Frangipane & Özdoğan (Rome–Istanbul)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1999
Frangipane opens Zeytinli east step trench, PPN circular houses found
2003
Halaf tholoi and Late Uruk bevelled bowls published
2005
PPN–Late Chalcolithic step-trench monograph completed
On the ground
Structures & features
37.0300° N · 37.9500° E · 395 m · 3 mapped features
PPN Circular Pisé Structures (9700 BCE)
settlementPPN circular pisé with lime-plaster floors east step trench base
37.0308° N · 37.9506° EHalaf Tholoi (Polychrome)
settlementHalaf tholoi with polychrome painted ware above PPN 5600 BCE
37.0293° N · 37.9491° ELate Chalcolithic Uruk Contact Level
occupation layerBevelled-rim bowls Late Chalcolithic Uruk contact on east terrace 3500 BCE
37.0311° N · 37.9507° E