höyüks

A höyük is a type of artificial mound or tell found in Anatolia and the surrounding regions. These mounds are formed by the accumulation of human settlements over long periods, typically centuries or even millennia. As people lived, built, and died in the same location, layers of debris, fallen structures, and new constructions gradually raised the ground level, creating a visible mound. The term "höyük" is of Turkish origin and is widely used in archaeological contexts to describe these distinctive landforms.

The excavation of höyüks provides archaeologists with invaluable insights into the history of human habitation in a particular area. Each layer within the mound, known as an occupation layer or stratum, represents a distinct period of settlement. By carefully excavating these layers, archaeologists can uncover artifacts, architectural remains, and other evidence that sheds light on the daily lives, social structures, economic activities, and technological advancements of past populations. The stratigraphy of a höyük allows for the chronological ordering of these findings, creating a detailed timeline of a site's history. Many significant archaeological sites in Turkey, such as Çatalhöyük and Göbeklitepe (though Göbeklitepe is more of a complex of structures than a classic höyük), are associated with or are themselves höyüks, underscoring their importance in understanding early human civilization in the Near East.