A new anthracological sequence from Niğde-Kınık Höyük (Turkey): woodland vegetation and arboriculture in southern Cappadocia from the Late Bronze Age to the Ottoman Period

Regional exchange and exclusive elite rituals in Iron Age central Anatolia: dating, function and circulation of Alişar-IV ware

“…This suggestion is supported by the selected forms of the set and by the contextual development of a culture of wine that emerged in the same area at the same period as the production of the set. Archaeobotanical data suggest that from the very early first millennium BC grapevine cultivation gradually but increasingly expanded across southern Cappadocia, as part of a process of an unprecedented intensification of the cultivation of fruits and other agricultural activities at the expense of natural woodland resources (Roberts 2019;Castellano 2021). This implies a growth of the cultural and dietary practice of wine consumption.…”

“…Carpological analysis of flotation samples points to the local economic importance of grapes and related products; grapes are second in the economic seed records only to cereals (barley and naked wheat). Furthermore, extensive anthracological (wood charcoal) evidence from the same samples unequivocally indicates that grapevines were locally cultivated and that pruning discards were used as firewood (Castellano 2021). A diachronic analysis of the attestation of grapevine remains suggests that at Niğde-Kınık Höyük their cultivation peaked during the second half of the first millennium BC (Castellano 2021).…”

“…Furthermore, extensive anthracological (wood charcoal) evidence from the same samples unequivocally indicates that grapevines were locally cultivated and that pruning discards were used as firewood (Castellano 2021). A diachronic analysis of the attestation of grapevine remains suggests that at Niğde-Kınık Höyük their cultivation peaked during the second half of the first millennium BC (Castellano 2021). On the other hand, grapevine pips and charcoal are ubiquitously attested as early as period KH-P VA (ca 1000-800 BC) (fig.…”

“…In Cappadocia, viticulture and wine production have a long-standing economic importance (Castellano 2021). The antiquity of the tradition is well evidenced in the local, late eighth-century BC cult of the Storm God (Tarhunzas) of the vineyard.…”

“…The significance of the evidence from Niğde-Kınık Höyük is further emphasised by the overall paucity of grape remains in the archaeobotanical record of Iron Age central Anatolia in general (White, Miller 2018;Castellano 2021) and by the few meagre seed remains found at Polatlı Yassı Höyük in particular (Miller 2010;Marston 2017). Thus, the locally produced Alişar-IV vessels chronologically overlap with a phase of viticulture expansion, both in the economic sphere and in the symbolic use made by local elites.…”