Horoztepe Bronze Age Settlement and Necropolis

Horoztepe, located within the borders of Erbaa district in Tokat province, is an important Bronze Age settlement and necropolis site that witnessed intensive human habitation between the 4th and 3rd millennia BCE. This center, particularly notable for its rich finds belonging to the Hatti culture, offers valuable insights into the early civilizations of the region. Uncovered through excavations in the mid-20th century, Horoztepe is a significant archaeological heritage shedding light on Anatolia's ancient history.

History

Human settlement at Horoztepe extends back to the early 4th millennium BCE, specifically the initial phases of the Early Bronze Age. Archaeological data from the region indicates that Horoztepe hosted intensive human activity between 4000 and 2000 BCE, particularly throughout the Early Bronze Age. Associated with the Hatti culture, one of Anatolia's local cultures during this period, Horoztepe became one of the region's significant centers. In this early period, before the emergence of large and centralized kingdoms, Horoztepe likely possessed the structure of a small city-state under the rule of a local principality or a powerful clan.

The archaeological significance of Horoztepe was established in the mid-20th century, particularly through excavations conducted between 1957 and 1959 under the direction of Prof. Dr. Tahsin Özgüç. The rich grave finds and settlement layers unearthed during these excavations provided critical data for understanding the intensity of Hatti influence in the region and Horoztepe's place in the cultural and economic life of the period. Unique artifacts, especially in terms of burial traditions and metalwork, have made Horoztepe one of the important reference points in Anatolian archaeology.

Geographic Location

Horoztepe is currently located in the eastern part of the Erbaa district, Tokat province. Geographically situated near the fertile lands of the Yeşilırmak Valley, the settlement offered a highly favorable environment for agricultural and pastoral activities. The water resources provided by the Yeşilırmak River and the natural passage routes offered by the valley may have enhanced Horoztepe's strategic importance.

This location may have made Horoztepe a connecting point between important centers of Central Anatolia (e.g., Çorum-Alacahöyük) and the Black Sea coasts. It is believed to have been in cultural and commercial interaction with other Bronze Age settlements in the region (e.g., Amasya-Oluz Höyük). Established on fertile lands, this settlement developed a strong economic structure by maximizing its utilization of the region's natural resources.

Significance in Antiquity

Horoztepe was an important regional center during antiquity, especially throughout the Early Bronze Age. Economically, thanks to the fertile agricultural lands of the Yeşilırmak Valley, the people of Horoztepe engaged in animal husbandry in addition to cultivating staple crops such as wheat and barley. The metal artifacts unearthed during excavations, particularly objects made of gold, silver, bronze, and electrum, indicate that Horoztepe possessed advanced metalworking techniques of the period and may have been a significant production center in this field. This wealth provided Horoztepe with a significant advantage in local exchange networks and perhaps in trade with more distant regions.

Politically, although Horoztepe was not the capital of a large empire, it points to a local administrative structure with considerable power in its own region. The rich and differentiated graves found in the necropolis clearly reveal the social hierarchy of the period and the privileged status held by certain families or leaders. From a religious perspective, votive offerings and cult objects among the grave finds offer valuable clues about Hatti belief systems. The cult of the mother goddess or worship directed towards nature deities may have been prevalent; these objects provide information about the religious rituals and afterlife beliefs of Horoztepe's inhabitants.

Coinage

No coins from this settlement are recorded in the NumisTR database. The Early Bronze Age, during which Horoztepe experienced intensive settlement, corresponds to a period before the emergence of a coin economy. In the ancient world, coinage generally began with the Kingdom of Lydia from the 7th century BCE onwards and subsequently became widespread in Greek and Roman civilizations. During the period of Horoztepe's activity, economic transactions were conducted through barter, exchange of precious metals by weight, or standardized units of goods (e.g., specific quantities of grain or animals). Therefore, the practice of minting coins in its own name, as seen in Bronze Age settlements like Horoztepe, was not applicable.

Archaeological Remains

Excavations conducted at Horoztepe in the mid-20th century brought to light significant structures and finds from the settlement and necropolis. Among the most striking remains unearthed during the excavations are rich graves reflecting burial traditions and unique Hatti artifacts recovered from these graves. These artifacts include standing bull figurines made of bronze, deer sculptures, sun discs, ceremonial axes, daggers, spearheads, and various ceramic vessels. These objects, demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship particularly in metalwork, reveal the artistic and technological development of the period.

Unfortunately, the archaeological site at Horoztepe has suffered significant damage due to agricultural activities and modern urban development. As a result of this destruction, it is quite difficult to discern prominent archaeological remains in publicly available aerial or satellite images. A large portion of the artifacts recovered during the excavations is exhibited at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, offering visitors the opportunity to experience Horoztepe's rich heritage.

Today

Horoztepe Bronze Age Settlement and Necropolis is currently located in the eastern part of the Erbaa district, Tokat province, amidst modern settlements and agricultural lands. While Erbaa district is easily accessible by road, there are no visible archaeological structures at the site itself due to modern development and agricultural activities. This situation poses challenges for the preservation of the site and for future archaeological research. However, the Horoztepe artifacts exhibited at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations remain an important point of interest for those interested in the region's history.