Tepeköy Höyük, located in Eastern Anatolia on the border of Bingöl and Muş provinces, is an important settlement, particularly dated to the Early Bronze Age. Rescue excavations conducted before the site was submerged by the waters of the Alpaslan-2 Dam Lake have provided valuable insights into the ancient life and cultural structure of the region. This mound, which cannot be physically visited today, is a critical data source for understanding the early settlement dynamics of Eastern Anatolia.

History

Based on archaeological findings, the initial settlement at Tepeköy Höyük is believed to date back to the beginning of the Early Bronze Age, approximately the early 3rd millennium BCE. The höyük, situated in the fertile lands of the Murat River basin, offered potential for long-term habitation due to its proximity to water sources. Rescue excavations have revealed that the höyük possesses different cultural layers and was inhabited intermittently or continuously throughout the Early Bronze Age. During this period, Tepeköy Höyük is estimated to have been under the control of local communities and perhaps small chiefdoms, rather than being influenced by large central kingdoms. The cultural interactions observed throughout the region suggest that Tepeköy Höyük also established commercial and cultural relations with neighboring settlements. While there is no definitive information regarding when or why the höyük was abandoned, factors such as climate change, natural disasters, or regional conflicts are speculated to have led to the end of the settlement. However, the most definitive "end" for the höyük was its submergence under the waters of the Alpaslan-2 Dam Lake in 2021. This situation necessitated extensive rescue excavations at the höyük, yielding significant data that sheds light on the early history of the region.

Geographic Location

Tepeköy Höyük was situated in the Eastern Anatolia Region, at the intersection of present-day Bingöl and Muş provinces, near one of the main tributaries of the Murat River. The höyük, with coordinates determined as 39.093299 latitude and 41.505851 longitude, held a strategic advantage due to its fertile agricultural lands and easy access to water sources. The Murat River basin has historically served as one of Eastern Anatolia's crucial transit routes, acting as a bridge between different cultures and civilizations. This geographic location allowed the inhabitants of Tepeköy Höyük to easily pursue agricultural and pastoral activities, while also providing a suitable environment for regional trade and cultural interactions. Despite the surrounding mountainous terrain, the plains within the valley contributed to the settlement's development. Given its proximity to natural resources and its location on potential transportation routes, the höyük may have played a significant regional role during the Early Bronze Age.

Significance in Antiquity

The significance of Tepeköy Höyük in antiquity primarily lies in its great value for understanding Early Bronze Age settlement patterns and cultural dynamics in Eastern Anatolia. Economically, the primary livelihood of the höyük's inhabitants is believed to have been agriculture and animal husbandry. The fertile lands of the region allowed for the cultivation of cereals such as wheat and barley, and the raising of small livestock. Archaeological findings indicate the development of local production and simple handicrafts. Politically, Tepeköy Höyük is estimated to have hosted a self-sufficient community, or one with loose ties to neighboring settlements, rather than being the center of a large state during the Early Bronze Age. Interactions with other höyüks in the region may have taken the form of mutual exchange and cultural interchange. Although direct evidence regarding its religious significance is limited, it can be assumed that belief systems such as domestic cult practices, worship of fertility goddesses, and ancestor cults existed at Tepeköy Höyük, as in other Anatolian settlements of this period. The social structure of the community can be partially understood through the types of dwellings and burial finds unearthed during excavations. The höyük may have functioned as a small-scale economic and social center at a regional level.

Coinage

No coins from this settlement are recorded in the NumisTR database. The Early Bronze Age (approximately 3rd millennium BCE), during which Tepeköy Höyük was active, predates the advent of coinage in Anatolia. During this period, economies were based on barter systems where goods and services were directly exchanged. Although precious metals or specific commodities may have been used as a medium of exchange, standardized coins struck by central authorities are not found. The tradition of coinage in Anatolia was initiated much later, in the 7th century BCE, by the Kingdom of Lydia. Therefore, coinage or its use is not relevant to the history of Tepeköy Höyük.

Archaeological Remains

As Tepeköy Höyük was submerged under the waters of the Alpaslan-2 Dam Lake in 2021, no physical remains can be observed today. However, rescue excavations conducted before the höyük was submerged provided an opportunity to document and record the settlement's archaeological heritage. The excavations unearthed architectural structures from the Early Bronze Age, particularly residential remains built on mudbrick and stone foundations. These structures provided important information about the settlement layout and construction techniques of the period. Furthermore, a wide variety of small finds were recovered, including pottery fragments, obsidian and flint tools, bone tools, agricultural implements, and a limited number of metal objects. The ceramic finds bear the characteristic features of the period and offer clues for understanding Tepeköy Höyük's cultural connections. These finds have provided valuable data regarding the daily lives, economic activities, and technological level of the höyük's inhabitants. All these findings obtained through rescue excavations are presented to the public through scientific publications and preserved in museums for future generations.

Today

As of 2021, Tepeköy Höyük has been submerged under the waters of the Alpaslan-2 Dam Lake. Consequently, the höyük cannot be physically visited today. The region where the höyük was located is situated in the Murat River basin, on the border of Bingöl and Muş provinces. Access to the remains of the ancient settlement and the finds recovered during excavations is possible through relevant excavation reports, scientific publications, and museums in the region. These publications and exhibitions serve as the primary means of accessing its legacy.