The use and applications of Middle Bronze Age Ceramics of Malatya Arslantepe mound in modern ceramic art, master thesis, Malatya,2019

Ceramics, which are among the oldest Movable Cultural Assets in the history of humanity, are unearthed in different periods, dates and regions through research and excavation methods. The needs of the period, social structure of society, belief system, culture, art and aesthetic understanding are the factors that form the basis of the difference in ceramics. The Middle Bronze period of ceramics in Arslantepe Mound (2000-1750 B.C.) until it was completely produced by hand forming method, but in the Middle Bronze period it is seen that the wheel was used. The use of the Potter's wheel in ceramic production added physical, functional, artistic and aesthetic characteristics to the ceramics produced as well as made the transition to mass production and a large number of ceramic vessels were produced. The increasing number of pots as a result of mass production has been used as a means of exchange in increasing commercial mobility with the interaction of different groups of people living in the same period. The data obtained during the archaeological excavations were carried out by archaeologists in order to make it easier to understand and record what the development stages were like by dividing the past periods of human communities into sections. From The Chalcolithic Age (3350-3000 B.C.) Of The Iron Age (1200-712 B.C.) the time interval up to the beginning has been called The Bronze Age. Due to the very long period of time, this age is divided into three sub-sections as early, middle and late Bronze. In the first part of the study, brief information about the location, importance of Arslantepe Mound in Malatya and the stratification system of Arslantepe Bronze Age were given. In the light of this information, the social, economic, cultural and artistic relations between the layers are briefly mentioned. In the second part, the type, color, purpose of use, materials and techniques used in the construction of ceramics produced in the Middle Bronze periods of Malatya Arslantepe, which is the subject of the thesis, were briefly mentioned. In addition, geometric motifs and forms, which are surface ornamentation elements of ceramics produced in the Middle Bronze period, are examined in terms of technical, aesthetic and artistic aspects. Physical and chemical analyses of the raw materials that make up the ceramic structure have been discussed based on sources. In the third part of the study, in the light of theoretical and visual information within the scope of the research, the design and application stages of ceramic studies in the thesis were also included. The design, production, decoration, glazing and cooking methods and the processing processes of Arslantepe Mound are explained in detail in these studies inspired by the Middle Bronze Age ceramics. In the last section, Arslantepe Mound was inspired by the Middle Bronze Age ceramics, and the superficial and three-dimensional studies with the understanding of contemporary ceramics were discussed in detail with the cataloging system. These works were designed to reflect that period and a common language of artistic expression was created. . The technical and plastic art analyses of all the works produced within the content of the thesis were carried out with visuals. The findings were discussed in the conclusion section of the study and it was tried to give a new perspective to contemporary ceramic understanding. This study, which was turned into a source of inspiration by studying Arslantepe Mound in the Middle Bronze Age, is intended to provide a collective source for researchers and young artist candidates. Key Words: Arslantepe, Mound, Middle Bronze, Ceramics, Pottery