Neolitik Çanak Çömlek Üretiminde Levha Tekniğinin Kullanımı: Bahçelievler Yerleşmesi

This study comprehensively examines the use of slab construction in pottery production at the Bahçelievler Neolithic settlement in Northwestern Anatolia. Of the 5130 pottery fragments uncovered during the 2019–2021 excavations, 1116 diagnostically identifiable specimens were analysed through macroscopic and microscopic observation techniques. The findings indicate that slab construction was employed at Bahçelievler as early as the initial Neolithic phases, becoming increasingly prevalent during the later Neolithic. This technique is particularly discernible in box-shaped vessels, ribbed bowls, and long-necked pots, notably characterised by junctions, ribbed sections, and sharp turns of these forms. This paper demonstrates that the slab construction in Neolithic pottery production at Bahçelievler is closely associated with specific material groups, clay–temper compositions, and firing processes. The method was most commonly applied to dark-surfaced wares and was predominantly observed in fine, sandy, pyroxene-rich clay vessels. Stratigraphic analyses reveal that while slab construction was infrequently encountered in Phases 8 and 7, its use increased markedly in Phases 4, 3, and 2. This upward trend reflects a growing technological adaptation and specialisation in pottery production and a notable standardisation in manufacturing practices.Slab construction reflects both technological advancements in pottery production and deliberate functional preferences. Its application in vessels featuring sharp corner transitions and larger forms indicates it was employed to enhance structural durability. Moreover, the widespread use of this technique in dark-surfaced wares indicates a direct correlation with specific firing conditions and production atmospheres. The findings demonstrate that slab construction was adopted as a functional and technological innovation, offering valuable insights into its role within Neolithic production systems. The production practices identified at Bahçelievler provide a significant framework for understanding Neolithic pottery traditions’ regional dynamics and technological developments.