Early Iron Age Gurgum (=Kahrmanmaraş) reliefed funerary stelae

The aim of this thesis is to investigate and analise 42 stelae which is refered by scholars with different terms such as Maraş Stelae/ Tomb Stone/ Grave Stelae/ Funerary Monuments. All of these found in either in Kahramanmaraş (Gurgum) or its periphery without any scientific excavations. In this contex, historical background of the stelae is attributed to Iron Age; geographical limitation is concerned with ancient Gurgum city state and also cultural-historical root of materials are represented in Late Hittite Art.Research historical accumulation focus on Gurgum reliefed stela is untidy and bring forward three main problems which have priority to others . These are principally related with its functional, thematical and historical background. This thesis essentially attempt to solve all of these questions with great interest in this aspect it is unique.As generally accepted a funerary stelae performs two primary functions. They are descriptive marks to place where has special importence. In connection with, this location may refers burial location or may also be a metaphoric rememberence free from the burial place. On the other hand they are commemorate remembrance of deceased individual, so far they means of expression between living and dead. So that, they imply social interactions with netherworld as a cultic element. In chapter 2 ? 4, thesis accomplish to material in this perspective. The main outcome of these chapters put forward that transition to Iron Age create new picturial expression derived from changing of depiction thought.Dating of the Gurgum relifes is also another problematic part in research history. Uncertainity of the finding places of the materials is create a problem for dating and categorizing of the materials. Therefore, researchers concentrate on the style critique of the reliefs in order to reach relative chronology. In this study chapter 5 is tend to create a chronology of sequence based on style groups with the light of new findings and inscribed reliefs. According to detailed stylistic analysis shown that Gurgum stelae? can be divided 2 main and 4 subdivisions. And these groups of funerary stelae should be dated, late 11 th to the end of 8 th century BC.Gurgum sculpturing and its relations with other Iron Age centers is the most debated topic among the modern scholars. So that chapter 6 add to study close and far homegenous from Anatolian, Mesopotamian and Phoenikean periphery.In chapter 7 Gurgum? funerary stelae sculpturing roots are discussed. It is also the question of cause and effect of this reliefed funerary stelae traditions and its Anatolian background is examined. In conlusion since there is no evidence any other funerary monuments in this area before that time and in so far funerary art is unparalleled in Mesopotamia and Babylonia, Gurgum examples should be interpret as antecedent samples Iron Age in Anatolia.