Archiecture and settlement models of coastal Western Anatolia during the Chalcolithic period

The architecture of the coastal Western Anatolian Chalcolithic settlements form the main focus of this study. Construction material, technical details and architectural plans have been evaluated with a chronological order in order to reveal a more general picture of settlement patterns. The Chalcolithic settlements of Western Anatolia are located in the fertile agricultural landscapes along the coastal strip extending fom Çanakkale in the north to Muğla in the south. Most of these settlements were probably overed by the alluvial plains of Büyük and Küçük menderes, Bakır Çağ and Gediz. Chalcolithic Period covers a long time period roughly between 6000 - 3000 BC. and is divided into three sub-phases namely Early, Middle and Late. As of today, there are important chronological gaps and problems within this period. Although there are minor variations, architectural features like construction material, technical details and house types generally reflect a uniform picture during the Chalcolithic period. Wattle - and - daub, stone foundations with mudbrick superstructure and mudbrick construction form the main technical aspects of architecture. Wattle - and - daub and stone foundations with mudbrick superstructure was in use throughout the Chalcolithic Period while pure mudbrick walls are attested only during the Early and Late Chalcolithic. Rectangular, apsidal, grill planned or round structures and pit houses comprise the main architectural forms which were in use in different phases of the Chalcolithic Period. Rectangular plans were in use during the entire Chalcolithic Period while pit houses and round structures date to Middle and Late Chalcolithic. Apsidal and grill planned structures date to the Late Chalcolithic Period in coastal Western Anatolia. Given the current state of research, it is very difficult to define the settlement models of coastal western Anatolia during the Chalcolithic Period. Available evidence suggests an open settlement plan with houses seperated by streets or open workshop areas throughout the Chalcolithic Period. Key Words 1 Chalcolithic 2 Architecture 3 Settlement patterns 4 Western Anatolia 5 Construction techniques