Gold-Wash Ceramics Uncovered in Late Bronze Age Layers of Aşağıseyit Höyük
Erim Konakçı1
, Barış Semiz2
1İzmir Demokrasi Üniversitesi, Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi, Arkeoloji Bölümü, İzmir/TÜRKİYE
https://ror.org/04c152q53
2Pamukkale Üniversitesi, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Jeoloji Mühendisliği Bölümü, Denizli/TÜRKİYE https://ror.org/01etz1309
Keywords: Gold-wash ware, Aşağıseyit, Late Bronze Age, Inner Western Anatolia, Meander Valley.
Abstract
Aşağıseyit Höyük is located approximately 1.5 km southeast of Aşağıseyit Village, within the boundaries of Çal district of Denizli province. Excavations initiated in 2021 have revealed architectural layers associated with the Hellenistic, Roman, and Late Bronze Age periods. This article focuses on Gold-wash wares, which are widely attested throughout Inner Western Anatolia during the 2nd millennium BCE. The gold-washed ceramics found in the Late Bronze Age layers at Aşağıseyit Höyük constitute a significant group within the site’s ceramic repertoire. The gold-wash technique observed in Aşağıseyit Höyük is most commonly applied to bowls. Analyses indicate that these wares were fired at high temperatures, estimated to be around 800–850°C, and may have been produced locally. The archaeometric data, along with compositional similarities to Middle Bronze Age examples, strongly support the hypothesis of local production. The identification of this ceramic group not only at Aphrodisias, Beycesultan, and Asopos Tepesi, but also intensively at Aşağıseyit Höyük, suggests that these gold-wash wares reflect regional aesthetic preferences that developed within the Upper Menderes Basin.
It is declared that scientific and ethical principles were complied with during the preparation of this study and all the works referred are mentioned in the bibliography.
The Author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest.