Chalcolithic Smintheion (Gülpınar) settlement matting and weaving

This master?s thesis aims to examine the archaeological evidence on mat-making and weaving recovered from the archaeological excavations carried out at the Chalcolithic site of Smintheion (Gülpınar) dating from 5200 to 4800 BC. Archaeological excavations undertaken at this site between 2004 and 2009 yielded nearly 800 pieces of pot bases bearing negative impressions of mats and woven textiles. By examining these negative impressions of mats and woven textiles from technological and and functional points of views, this thesis attempts to demonstarte what sort of techniques of mat making and weaving were adopted and how these products were used by the Chalcolithic settlers and potters of Smintheion. In addition, small finds such as spindle whorls and loom weights were also examined to support the indirect evidence on weaving. Although mat making was common in Neolithic and Chalcolithic Anatolia, no prehistoric settlement has so far yielded so many as examples as the site of Smintheion has provided us. Documenting negative impressiosn of mats and textiles on nearly 800 examples of pot bases at Smintheion indicate that pieces of mats and textiles were used as a form of primitive turntable by the potters of the site. The results of replication studies show that rectangular and circular mats were occasionally used as a form of primitive turntable by the potters of Gülpınar. At Chalcolithic Smintheion, plaiting and coiling appear to have been the two different matting methods adopted at the site. It is clear that the settlers of Chalcolithic Gülpınar knew how to make both rectangular plaited mats and circular coiled mats. Analysis of negative impressions left on pot bases points mainly to the use of twill plaiting (?two under-two above?). Available specimens appear to be mainly made commonly of wheat stalk and reed. In light of the minimal number of evidence on mat making and weaving in prehistoric Anatolia, it is hoped that this thesis will increase our understanding on this subject. Ethnographic evidence on mat making and weaving was also used for a better understanding of archaeological data from the Chalcolithic site of Smintheion.