A New Chalcolithic Hilltop Settlement in Volcanic Cappadocia: Preliminary Results of the Büyük Deller Excavation

Büyük Deller is located on a steep rocky outcrop about 1. 5 km north of Demirci, in the Gülağaç district of Aksaray province . First identified in 1994 during the Aksaray, Nevşehir and Niğde Provinces survey directed by Sevil Gülçur, excavations at the site began in 2021. The site, which functioned as a fortress during the Hellenistic period, has been dated relatively to the Middle and, the Late Chalcolithic period, thus representing a relatively obscure phase of pre-urbanization in Anatolia. Recent research suggests that by 5200 BC, Early Chalcolithic settlements in the region were superseded by new patterns of site selection. The strategic location and proximity to sources of raw materials of the site of Büyük Deller were of great importance to prehistoric communities. An extensive chipped stone and ground stone industry, with a particular emphasis on standardized blade production, has been revealed. The ceramic assemblage is notable for its preponderance of dark burnished wares, similar to those found at Güvercinkayası and Köşk Höyük, suggesting a connection with the Middle Chalcolithic. Excavations at Büyük Deller, whose initial findings are outlined below, are conducted with the aim of understanding the formation process of permanent settlements prior to urbanisation, thereby offering a novel perspective on Chalcolithic Cappadocia settlement patterns.