Dana Island: The Greatest Shipyard of the Ancient Mediterranean

Description

Dana Island: The Greatest Shipyard of the Ancient Mediterranean presents the dramatic archaeological discoveries from Dana Island, off the coast of Rough Cilicia in southern Turkey, where underwater investigations and surface survey in advance of excavation have revealed nearly 300 ancient rock-cut slipways, the largest number of such naval installations discovered to date. Further slipways have been lost to erosion or await excavation. The slipways accommodated a range of different sizes of warship and are identified as ship-sheds, grouped within a shipyard area, behind which are various structures seen as workshops used in shipbuilding, as well as living spaces, military and religious buildings, managerial facilities, barn areas for animals, baths and dock areas, shops, villas, columned areas, watchtowers, and many other buildings whose functions cannot yet be understood. The majority are mortarless stone structures, and some of the architectural forms show resemblances to Iron Age masonry. The volume presents and analyses the slipways, their use and possible dating. Water supply is discussed, and cisterns documented. Further chapters focus on the tombs found on the island, its geology, plant usage, and the geoarchaeology of the island's structures. Extensive contextual sections review the island's geographical situation and ancient naval history. Finally, computer modelling is used to produce stunning 3D visualisations of the ancient shipyard and naval base. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Page Foreword List of Figures Acknowledgements Foreword Slipway numbers 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58 and the structures behind them The Prehistoric Strategic Location of Dana Island Figure 1.2 Neolithic polished hand axes Figure 1.3 Greenish obsidian pieces Figure 1.1 Middle Palaeolithic edge scraper Figure 1.4 Blackish obsidian pieces Figure 1.5 Terracotta knot-shaped handle Figure 1.6 Possible route for obsidian transport via Syria Figure 1.7 Possible route for obsidian transport via Dana Island Figure 1.8 Possible submerged prehistoric Anatolian coast Figure 1.9 The ‘Fertile Crescent’ Bibliography Sunrise over Dana Island The Importance of the Southern Mediterranean Coast: The Hittites and the Mediterranean The mysterious and daring Lycian campaign of the Ugaritic people on the eve of the Sea People The situation in the Iron Age Cilicia/Çukurova and Dana Island in the Neo-Babylonian age: the kingdoms of Hume and Pirindu The Persians and the age of Greek colonization: the indigenous Cilician kingdom in the Cilician Plain, the Syennesis dynasty and the Persian (Achaemenid) invasion The Roman period Conclusion Bibliography Slipway numbers 139, 140, 141 and the structures behind them. Hittites and Seafaring Figure 3.1 KBo 10.12: A part of the treaty signed between the Hittite King Suppiluliuma I and the Amurru King Aziru Figure 3.2 KBo 12.38, a tablet that deals with the war between Suppluliuma II and Alasiya Bibliography West side of Dana Island Ancient Shipsheds on Dana Island: Some Preliminary Observations Figure 4.1 Dana Island shipyard area Figure 4.2 Widths of the Dana Island shipsheds Figure 4.3 Section 6/1 Figure 4.4 Section 6/2 Figure 4.5 Section 6/3 Figure 4.6 Section 6/4 Figure 4.7 Section 6/5 Figure 4.8 Section 6/6 Figure 4.9 Shipshed no. 38c Figure 4.10 Shipshed no. 220 Figure 4.11 Slipways no. 228, 229, 230 Bibliography Olive trees of Dana Island, the ship (Arkeo) and the mainland Slipway numbers 140, 141 and chapel An Ancient Naval Yard on the Southern Coast of Anatolia Bibliography Dana Island and the Mavikent Coast Dana Island Ancient Shipyard, Rough Cilicia: Archaeological Observations Introduction The location and name of Dana Island Figure 6.1 Dana Island in its Mediterranean setting Figure 6.3 Three holed stone anchor Figure 6.4 Stone stock of a wooden anchor (3th-6th Century BC) Figure 6.2 Dana Island and selected archaeological sites in the Rough Cilicia Region Figure 6.5 Roman/Byzantine anchor Figure 6.7 Sinop amphora, 9-13th Century AD Figure 6.9 Possible Structural remains at the entrance of a Slipway Figure 6.6 AE 5-6 amphora, 5-6th Century AD Figure 6.8 Cypriot basket-handle amphora (7th-5th Century BC) Figure 6.10 Column Drum Figure 6.11 Mosaic fragment Figure 6.12 Ballast stones of a Shipwreck Figure 6.13 Dana Island topographic map A short history of the island and region Figure 6.14 Karatepe relief depicting a warship (Öniz and Beşaltı, 2016: 81, Figure 2a) Structures on the island Why was Dana Island chosen as a shipyard? Figure 6.15 Location of Dana Island shipyard in relation to the mainland Figure 6.18 View of the northeast of the island from the northwest Figure 6.16 View of Dana Island from the possible ancient harbor area on the mainland Figure 6.17 View of the northwest of the island from the northeast Figure 6.19 The cistern behind one of the slipways at the coastline Figure 6.21 The vessel Arkeo approaches the shore unobstructed, draft is 150cm Figure 6.20 Entrance sections in contact with the sea Figure 6.22 Location of sections Figure 6.23 Section 6/1 Figure 6.24 Section 6/2 Figure 6.25 Section 6/3 Figure 6.26 Section 6/4 Classification of the slipways Figure 6.27 Section 6/5 Figure 6.28 Section 6/6 Figure 6.29 Eulimna slipways (Blackman and Simossi, 1999: 145, Fig.1) Figure 6.30 Detail of Eulimna slipways (Blackman and Simossi, 1999: 145, Fig.1) Figure 6.31 Tell Dor slipways (Raban, 1995: 308, Fig. 9.10) Figure 6.32 Military shipyard capacities in the ancient Mediterranean (Baika 2013e: 235) Figure 6.33 Pireaus Harbor Figure 6.34 Distribution of slipway sizes Figure 6.35 Boat slipway section Figure 6.36 Boat slipway (141b) Figure 6.37 Small slipway section Figure 6.39 Medium slipway section Figure 6.38 Small slipway (61) Figure 6.40 Medium slipway (49b) General features of the slipways Figure 6.41 Large slipway section Figure 6.43 Possible ram maintance unit of warship Figure 6.45 Possible iron ram from the west of Dana Island Figure 6.42 Large slipway section (174) Figure 6.44 Possible ram maintance unit in slipway Figure 6.46 Section for fitting spurs Figure 6.47 Examples of side by side slipways Figure 6.49 Side by side slipways and a workshop Figure 6.51 Side by side slipways with possible second slipways behind Figure 6.48 Examples of side by side slipways Figure 6.50 Aerial view of the slipways side by side Figure 6.52 Side by side slipways; entry zones destroyed by coastal erosion, demonstrating the differences in water level Figure 6.53 Side by side slipways. There could be more slipways on eroded entrance sides. Figure 6.55 Slipways with eroded entrance zones Figure 6.57 Hole for post to carry roof Figure 6.54 Slipways with eroded entrance zones Figure 6.56 Hole for post to carry roof Figure 6.58 Slots for stanchions to hold ships Figure 6.59 A special unit to hold the bow of the ship and slots for stanchions Figure 6.61 Groove to allow cradle to be slid into slipway Figure 6.63 Slipways with grooves Figure 6.60 Groove to allow cradle to be slid into slipway Figure 6.62 Slot to hold the front part of a cradle Figure 6.64 Slipway with groove Figure 6.65 Place where the cradle and the fore of the ship are seated Figure 6.67 A cradle from Mugla-Kıyıkışlacık Figure 6.69 A rock-cut mooring fastening hole Figure 6.66 A cradle from Sinop Harbor Figure 6.68 A rock-cut bollard Figure 6.70 A rock-cut mooring fastening hole Figure 6.71 A rock-cut mooring fastening hole Figure 6.73 Second Possible use of rock-cut bollard and fastening hole Figure 6.75 Rock-cut bollard to keep ropes taut during beaching Figure 6.72 First possible use of rock-cut bollard and fastening hole Figure 6.74 Rock-cut bollard to keep ropes taut during beaching Figure 6.76 Rock-cut bollard to keep ropes taut during beaching Figure 6.77 A partially eroded bollard Figure 6.78 A rock cut fastening hole on the slipway to use for the safety of the ship when it was on the ramp Figure 6.79 Pathway between two slipways Figure 6.80 Eroded slipways – only the rear parts are visible Figure 6.81 Eroded coastline, mooring stone is visible Figure 6.83 A different row of walls probably built later on the same structure Figure 6.85 Some walls of the church are constructed on earlier slipways Figure 6.82 Later wall built inside a slipway Figure 6.84 Walls with later rebuilding Figure 6.86 Stone cutting area S6 Stone ‘quarries’ on the coastline Beaching the ships Figure 6.87 An area used as a slipway and then as a stone cutting area (S4, seen from the sea) Figure 6.89 Temporary stone quarry S6 Figure 6.91 Temporary stone quarry S4 - stone cutting areas are clearly separated from the slipways Figure 6.88 Temporary stone quarry Figure 6.90 Temporary stone quarry Figure 6.92 Stone quarry Figure 6.93 A quarry in the hills of the island, near the western necropolis Figure 6.95 Structure carved directly into quarry wall Figure 6.97 Coastal aeolianite of Dana Island Figure 6.94 Quarry reused as a wall after operations ceased Figure 6.98 Evidence of earthquake activity Figure 6.96 Shipwreck with quarried block of stone Other structures on the island Figure 6.101 Hauling the ship and its cradle on the oiled channels of the slipway (side view) Figure 6.99 Setting the ship in a cradle inside the sea and sliding on a wooden construction Figure 6.100 Hauling the ship and its cradle on the oiled channels of the slipway Figure 6.102 Hauling the ship on its own keel over a fixed oiled wooden construction Figure 6.105 Pulling the ship over round logs (side view) Figure 6.103 Hauling the ship onto the slipway with its keel in the oiled channel Figure 6.104 Hauling the ship over round logs Figure 6.106 Fastening a ship to the ground for protection against storms Figure 6.107 Amasra Harbor showing modern cradles (Photograph: Dilay Küçük) Figure 6.108 Slipways and the structures behind them Figure 6.109 A slipway and the ruins behind it Figure 6.111: The large church on the shore and surrounding ruins Figure 6.113 Church structure, possibly on the site of an earlier temple Figure 6.110 Slipways with structures to their rear Figure 6.112 Remains of a Late Roman bath Figure 6.114 Chapel on the shore Figure 6.115 Mosaic flooring Figure 6.117 Architectural decoration Figure 6.116 Marble remains Figure 6.118 Remains of a column Figure 6.120 Section of the building remains Figure 6.119 Buildings behind slipways 126-134 Figure 6.122 Plan of the building depicted in Figure 6.121 Figure 6.121 A building at the west of the island after the vegetation clearing process in 2017 Figure 6.123 Interior of the building in Figure 6.121 Figure 6.125 Uneven walls without mortar on a rock-cut wall Figure 6.127 Unmortared building wall Figure 6.124 Interior of the building in Figure 6.121 Figure 6.126 Possible Hellenistic wall remains Figure 6.128 Unmortared building wall Figure 6.129 Mortarless building walls Figure 6.131 A sample of mortarless wall forms Figure 6.133 A sample of mortarless wall forms Figure 6.130 Mortarless building wall Figure 6.132 A sample of mortarless wall forms Figure 6.134 A sample of mortarless wall forms Figure 6.135 lintel from possible administrative building Figure 6.137 A column from the structure Figure 6.139 Single hole stone anchor form in the wall remains Figure 6.136 A columned structure - probably an administrative building or a ruler’s house Figure 6.138 Column remains from a building Figure 6.140 Iron scoriae collected from one of the five possible iron workshop areas Figure 6.141 Some stone remains which are not naturally occurring on the island Figure 6.144 Location of workshops and slipways Figure 6.142 Iron and other residues Figure 6.143 Some of these structures were used as workshops Fortifications Water supply Figure 6.145 Stone sarcophagus from the necropolis Figure 6.146 A sarcophagus carved into the bedrock Figure 6.147 A sarcophagus from the western necropolis Figure 6.149 A vaulted tomb from the western necropolis Figure 6.151 Remains of the watch tower at the western end of the slipways Figure 6.148 Child’s sarcophagus in the western necropolis Figure 6.150 Tomb with vault and steps Figure 6.152 The castle structure from the west of the island Figure 6.153 Shipyard area and mainland from castle structure Figure 6.155 An entrance to the early fortification wall Figure 6.157 Late period wall and gateway of the castle structure Figure 6.154 Early fortifications of the castle structure Figure 6.156 Early fortification walls of the castle structure Figure 6.158 Late fortification wall built on earlier fortifications Figure 6.159 Apse of the church inside the castle structure Figure 6.161 One of the pillars in the church area Figure 6.163 Steps on the road leading from the western necroplis to the castle Figure 6.160 The apse wall from the church inside the castle Figure 6.162 Wall from one of the cisterns in the castle structure Figure 6.164 Vaulted Cistern Figure 6.166 Lead remains Figure 6.167 Iron carpentry tools, bronze nails and ship fittings Figure 6.165 Cisterns between slipways Finds Figure 6.168 Nails and other metalwork finds Figure 6.170 Hooks and other metalwork finds Figure 6.169 Metalwork finds Figure 6.171 A bronze artifact that has not yet been identified, possibly a charm Figure 6.172 Bronze coins mainly dating to between the 2nd and 6th centuries AD Figure 6.173 Bronze coin dating to 5-6th century AD Figure 6.175 Obsidian tools Figure 6.174 Lead arrowhead Figure 6.176 Stone tools Figure 6.179 Iron Age pottery sherd Figure 6.178 Glass finds Figure 6.177 Cilician Type 6c and 6b amphora fragments Conclusion Figure 6.181 Luxury amphora sherd Figure 6.180 Archaic ceramic remains Figure 6.182 Hellenistic ceramics Figure 6.183 Amphora sherds 2nd - 1st Century BC Bibliography Figure 6.184 African red slip ware Figure 6.185 Cypriot red slip ware Slipway numbers 9, 10, 11, 12 Coastal Aeolianite as the Geological Heritage of Dana Island: Preliminary Results Introduction Physical geography Figure 7.1 Views of Jurassic dolomitic limestones on Dana Island (a, b) and thin section image (Cal: Calcite, Do: Dolomite) (c) The geological heritage of Dana Island: aeolianite Figure 7.2 Images from Dana Island. Fault scarps and Jurassic limestone-aeolianite contact (a,b); cross-bedded aeolianite beds at an altitude of 85 m asl (c); a typical section where aeolianite and colluvium alternate (d,e); formation of palaeosol in aeol Figure 7.3 Thin section images taken from aeolianites, showing coral fossils, algae, ooid and intraclastic grains and various fossils (Cross-polarized, O: Ooid, Cor: Fossil of coral, IC: Intraclast, Alg: Algae) Figure 7.4 Thin section images of rhizolith sample. (a) Inner part of plant root filled with micritic calcite, (b) quartz grains and micritic calcite in middle part, and (c) outer part consisting of micritic calcite and coarse calcite minerals (Cross-pola Bibliography Slipway numbers 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Introduction Geoarchaeological Investigation Of Architectural Structures On Dana Island Location and general features of Dana Island Figure 8.1 The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) image of the study area Aeolianites of Dana Island Figure 8.2 Classified slope map of the study area Figure 8.4 Aeolianite blocks used in architectural construction Figure 8.3 Distribution area of aeolianite rocks on Dana Island Architectural structure material and its quarries Figure 8.5 Location of architectural structures and the two quarries (1), aeolianite stone-cutting steps (2a), aeolianite block (2b) and transects opened between the aeolianite blocks (2c) Figure 8.6 The natural appearance of Dana Island aeolianite (a), selected stone used in the construction of arches (b), stone, unselected or the result of conscious choice, used in the doors (c) Figure 8.7 Perspective drawing of a room from the complex structure and its cross-section Conclusion Bibliography Slipway numbers 203a, 203b, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210 Introduction Dana Island The Ancient Naval Base/Shipyard on Dana Island Figure 9.1 Geographical location of Dana Island Figure 9.2 Aerial view of the slipways side by side Figure 9.3 Post holes suggesting that some of the slipways had roofs Figure 9.5 Remains of a Greco-Roman Temple Figure 9.4 Various building remains were found behind the slipways Figure 9.6 Aerial view of the castle on the tallest hill of the island Photogrammetric modelling Figure 9.7 Photographing the island from different angles Figure 9.8 Photogrammetric modelling workflow diagram Completion of the model using computer graphics Figure 9.9 3D modelling of Dana Island using photogrammetry Figure 9.11 a) 2D drawing showing a section from the top of a group of slipways on the coastal side b) a side sectional view of the positional relationship between the slipways and the workshop/atelier structures c) 3D visualization Figure 9.10 The steps taken from photogrammetric model to 3D visualization Simulations and results Figure 9.12 Shipsheds/slipways and workshops/ateliers Figure 9.13 Persian warship reconstruction Figure 9.14 Persian warships Bibliography Slipway numbers 174, 175, 176 and the structures behind them Usage Forms of Plant Species on Dana Island and its Surroundings from Past to Present Material Introduction to the study area Figure 10.1 Stand map of Dana Island Figure 10.2 A view from Dana Island Table 10.1 Dana Island stand types according to the division plan of the Yeşilovacık Forest Management Table 10.2 Soil analysis Figure 10.3 Sets Figure 10.4 Sets Method Findings Figure 10.5 Cedar forests, Taurus Mountains Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Figure 10.6 The current distribution area of the cedar in the Taurus region (http://traglor.cu.edu.tr/common/object_metadata.aspx?id=887) Figure 10.7 Elevation map of Silifke and its surroundings (M. Sarıbaş, 2009, Figure 21) Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera l.) Figure 10.8 Kermes Oak from Dana Island (Quercus coccifera L.) Figure 10.9 Kermes oak from Dana Island (Quercus coccifera L.) Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) Figure 10.10 Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) from Dana Island Figure 10.12 Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) distribution in Turkey (TUBİVES, 2018) Figure 10.11 Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) from Dana Island Greek strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne L.) Olive (Olea europaea L.) Figure 10.13 Greek strawberry tree from Dana Island (Arbutus andrachne L.) Turpentine tree (Pistacia Terebinthus L.) Figure 10.14 Olives (Olea europaea L.) Figure 10.16 Turpentine tree (Pistacia terebinthus L.) from Dana Island Figure 10.15 Distribution area of olive trees in Turkey (http://www.olioofficina.net/knowledge/economy/the-turkish-olive-oil-sector.htm) Caper plant (Capparis spinosa L.) Conclusion Figure 10.17 Capers from Dana Island (Capparis spinosa L.) Bibliography Western necropolis and a building complex The Tomb Types on Dana Island (Ancient Pityoussa) Figure 11.1 Location of the necropolis areas on Dana Island Figure 11.2 Tombs from a section of the central necropolis of Dana Island (Drawing: Sena Hazal Yazıcı) Figure 11.3 Aerial photo of the Western Necropolis Chamosorium (stone cist) tombs Figure 11.4 A group of two chamosorium tombs Figure 11.5 Simple engraved chamosorium tombs lined up side by side Figure 11.6 Chamosorium tomb Figure 11.7 Chamosorium tomb with a slightly raised edge for fitting the lid Figure 11.9 Terracing and levelling with chamosorium tomb and earthwork structure on the island Figure 11.11 The tombs were covered with stone blocks Figure 11.8 Rock-cut tomb made of bedrock Figure 11.10 Terraces and levelling of graves due to the island’s terrain Figure 11.12 Terraces and levelling of graves due to the island’s terrain Figure 11.13 Stone lid of chamosorium tomb with pediments Figure 11.14 Arcosolium grave carved in rectangular form Figure 11.15 Arcosolium tomb Arcosolium tombs The simple rock-cut tombs Figure 11.16 Arcosolium tomb with steps on the outer wall Figure 11.17 Niche on the inner walls of an Arcosolium tomb, thought to have been for offerings to the dead or an oil lamp Figure 11.18 Stairs cut into the side wall of the grave Christian sarcophagus Conclusion Figure 11.19 Stairs cut into the side wall of the grave Figure 11.20 Rock carved chamber tomb Figure 11.21 Rock carved chamber tomb with arched entrance Figure 11.22 Chamber tomb with rectangular entrance Figure 11.24 Inside the chamber tombs, klines were built on the side and back walls Figure 11.26 Christian sarcophagus Figure 11.25 Chamber tomb with rectangular entrance Figure 11.27 The cover of the sarcophagus is made in the form of a saddle with acroteria Figure 11.23 Side-by-side chambers with rectangular entrance door Bibliography Slipway numbers 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246 and stone cutting place no S6 Water Cisterns on Dana Island Figure 12.1 Location of cisterns Figure 12.2 Murals in one of the cisterns Figure 12.4 Murals in the same cistern Figure 12.6 A cistern closed with large stones by local goat herds Figure 12.3 Murals in the same cistern Figure 12.5 Cistern with murals Figure 12.7 Cistern no. 71: one of many cisterns filled with stones Figure 12.8 Cistern mouth section – two-part quoin Figure 12.10 Band formed unit on the mouth of the cistern Figure 12.12 An example of arched rectangular cisterns. This cistern is accessed by a staircase from the temple/church Figure 12.9 Cistern mouth section – two-part quoin Figure 12.11 Cistern no. 202: the seating of the cover can be clearly seen Figure 12.13 One of the cisterns in the castle on the western ridges of the island Figure 12.14 One of the cisterns in the castle on the western ridges of the island Figure 12.15 Probably wooden roofed or open cistern Figure 12.16 The cistern inside of slipway no. 129 Figure 12.17 Cistern no. 1 (D.Bala) Figure 12.18 Cistern no. 58 (D.Bala) Figure 12.19 Cistern no. 79 (D. Bala) Figure 12.20 Channels associated with cisterns Bibliography Figure 12.21 Average monthly rainfall in the Silifke region Slipway number 49 The Possible Role of Dana Island in the Events Of 1200 BC Bibliography Slipway numbers 218a, 218b, 219a, 219b, 220, 221, 222, 223,224, 225, 226, 227, 228 and S5 temporary stone quarry Mavikent Harbour: the Mainland Connection Point of the Dana Island Shipyard? Figure 14.1 Location of the Mavikent site Figure 14.2 Mavikent and some of the visible structural remains Figure 14.4 The western mole Figure 14.3 Harbour area of Mavikent, drone photo Figure 14.5 Modern/artificial mound Figure 14.6 2004 Google Earth footage taken before the artificial mole was made Figure 14.7 The stream bed and the area of alluvial deposition Figure 14.8 Eastern harbor mole Figure 14.9 Quay construction Figure 14.10 The ancient harbor and a possible late harbor or anchorage Figure 14.11 Remains of the rounded structure Figure 14.12 Natural promontory, eastern edge of the possible late harbor/anchorage Bibliography Figure 14.13 Shipwreck remains found in the area of the ancient harbor Figure 14.14 Pottery finds from Dana Island (top) and Mavikent (below) showing similar features Early Maritime Activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and Dana Island Bibliography Dana Island from Mavikent Harbour Authors/Dana Island Scientific Committee Members Piece of stone stock belonging to a wooden anchor, Dana Island East Bay (9th-7th century BC) Back cover