<p>Between 2003 and 2005, various remains of sculpture and fragments of an important inscription in the Old Phrygian language were unexpectedly found during excavations at the sixth century BC walled city on Kerkenes Mountain in the highlands of Central Turkey. These unusual finds have a significant role to play in the interpretation of the site and the interpretation of Phrygian history and culture. Large-scale sculpture in the round and small reliefs have distinctive characteristics so far unattested within territory inhabited by Phrygian speakers, while the extensive inscription names individuals so far unknown. Together, they attest to an ambitious and distinctive identity of power at this relatively remote mountaintop city, which may be equated with the strongly fortified place of Pteria mentioned in Herodotus, and which may have flourished for a brief period between the death of King Midas of Gordion and the conquering of Anatolia by the Persian King, Cyrus the Great. This volume presents these striking new finds, all of which come from the Monumental Entrance to a sector of the city known as the Palatial Complex. An introduction to the archaeological context is followed by a detailed catalog of the sculpted fragments, associated architectural fragments, and the inscribed fragments. Within the catalog there is erudite discussion of comparanda aimed at placing the unique material in its wider cultural and historical context, as well as a tentative reconstruction of the major pieces into a single monument. Rounding off the work is a commentary on the Phrygian inscription by Prof. Claude Brixhe. The volume is profusely illustrated with line drawings and photographs of every fragment together with a set of color plates that highlight the violence done to the monuments when the city was looted and burnt in the mid-sixth century BC. A Turkish summary is provided.</p>

Kerkenes Special Studies 1: Sculpture and inscriptions from the monumental entrance to the palatial complex at Kerkenes Dağ, Turkey (Oriental Institute Publications)

Arts & Photography

Draycott, Catherine M.

Summers, G. D.

Sculpture

Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago

This is the first archaeological documentation of the  continuity of settlement at Tille Hoyuk from the Late Bronze Age  to the Iron Age. The report contains descriptions of finds from  the LBA, and discussion of the local hand-made pottery. The  pottery from the earlier part of the LBA is unlike anything  previously known and its recognition may help account for the  apparant dearth of LBA occupation in south-east Turkey. As the  only site in the Ataturk Dam region to document closely this  transition, it should be essential reading for those concerned  with this period in the Near East.

Tille Hoyuk 4: The Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age Transition (BIAA Monographs)

History

Ancient Civilizations

British Institute at Ankara

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Summers, G. D.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Summers, G. D.