Beaked Jugs from the Bolvadin-Üçhöyük Excavations (2021-2024)

This study presents a typological analysis of the beaked-mouthed jugs discovered during the 2021-2024 excavations at the Bolvadin Üçhöyük site in Afyonkarahisar province, offering significant findings on their morphological and functional characteristics. The majority of the examined specimens show influences from nearby cultural groups in the Aegean, Western, Inner Western, and Central Anatolian regions, based on the evaluation of regional boundaries. In our study, the cultural and historical processes of the region, indexed to materials, are examined from the Middle Bronze Age to the end of the Late Bronze Age. When evaluating, the widespread presence of beaked-mouthed jugs, particularly during the Assyrian Trade Colony Period, became widespread and appear in various forms across different Anatolian settlements, providing valuable insights into the period’s trade and cultural interactions. The 88 beaked-mouthed jug samples identified during the excavations highlight Üçhöyük as a significant settlement, offering in-depth information on trade, production, and cultural exchange in the region. Understanding the usage and distribution of these jugs in their historical context is crucial for a better analysis of the region's social and economic structure. These jugs, produced in different clay and glaze types, colors, and techniques, feature burnished surfaces and handmade mouths, while the other parts are crafted using wheel-made techniques.