A Case Study of Monumental Tombs in the Göksu Valley
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Ritual, Social Organization, and Monumental Architecture: A Case Study of Monumental Tombs in the Göksu Valley A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT UNIVERSITY Peterborough, Ontario, Canada © Copyright by Christopher Langlois 2017 Anthropology M.A. Graduate Program May 2017 Abstract Ritual, Social Organization, and Monumental Architecture: A Case Study of Monumental Tombs in the Göksu Valley Christopher Langlois New archaeological material was discovered in 2006 by the Göksu Archaeological Project in an area of Southeastern Turkey known as Rough Cilicia. This thesis documents and explores the material remains from funerary contexts at the sites of Dağpazarı and Topkaya. Architectural analysis of the material from Dağpazarı demonstrates that the remains are of a monumental temple tomb dating to the late second or early third century A.D. Although the remains from Dağpazarı are fragmentary, the evidence is examined to suggest possible architectural reconstructions. The examination of the Topkaya tomb cluster sheds light upon an ornately decorated rock-cut temple façade tomb dating the Roman period. Both sets of tombs are stunning examples of monumental architecture from the Roman period in an area that suffers from a lack of surviving architectural material. In order to understand the variation in monumental tomb forms the relationship between death, burial, and monumental architecture is examined from a functional perspective. The rites of passage are used as a theoretical framework for examining the functional role that monumental architecture plays in the performance of funerary ritual and the formation of social organization in Roman Rough Cilicia. Ultimately, it is demonstrated that monumental funerary architecture serves as a physical manifestation of abstract concepts that aid in the performance of the rites of passage associated with death and the funeral. Thus, this thesis highlights how abstract information can be gained from seemingly limit physical remains. Keywords: Roman, Rough Cilicia, Monumental Funerary Architecture, Social Organization, Rites of Passage, Death, Burial. ii Acknowledgements There is no shortage of people who played a role in the creation of this thesis and I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and acknowledgement for their contributions. First and foremost I would like to thank my supervisor Hugh Elton for providing me with access to the Göksu Archaeological Project’s database and material, as well as for his constant counsel and guidance. I would also like to thank my committee members Dr. Rodney Fitzsimons and Dr. Marit Munson for their valuable feedback and advice which has helped in the refinement of ideas and presentation of this thesis. I would also like to express my gratitude to the external committee member Dr. Michael Hoff from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for his valuable insights on Roman funerary practices in Rough Cilicia and architectural expertise. A great deal of recognition is also owed to Dr. Lutgarde Vandeput for her personal advice and council with regards to architectural decoration in Roman Asia Minor. Her suggestions have greatly improved this thesis. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Mustafa Sayar of Istanbul University who has generously given his permission to publish the inscriptions from Topkaya. Furthermore, a number of funding sources have made this research possible. External funding for this thesis was provided through an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Internal funding was provided by Trent University’s graduate funding program and a special thanks should be made to the Bagnani Graduate Award as well. I would also like to extend my thanks to Kristine Williams and Yumi Pedoe, the former and current Anthropology Graduate Program Secretaries respectively, for their constant support and guidance in navigating Trent University’s bureaucratic and administrative systems, without them I would have been truly helpless. iii I wish to thank all of my fellow Anthropology Graduate Program colleagues, both past and present, who have provided mentorship, comradery, and immense support throughout the course of my time at Trent University. I am also grateful to the ongoing support and encouragement of my family and friends, both near and far. Lastly, but certainly not least, I would like to thank Caitlin Wagg for her unwavering love and support, without whom all of this would not have been possible. iv Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ xi Glossary ....................................................................................................................................... xii Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Region of Study ............................................................................................................ 3 1.3 Historical Background of Rough Cilicia ....................................................................... 4 1.4 Development of Monumental Architecture in Anatolia ............................................... 9 1.4.1 Tumuli ......................................................................................................... 9 1.4.2 Rock-cut Tombs ........................................................................................ 12 1.4.3 Temple Tombs and Built Structures ......................................................... 14 1.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 16 Chapter 2: Roman Funerary Sites of Rough Cilicia................................................................ 17 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 17 2.2 Inland Sites ................................................................................................................. 17 2.2.1 Alahan .......................................................................................................... 17 2.2.2 Adrassus ....................................................................................................... 19 2.2.3 Duruhan........................................................................................................ 21 2.3 Coastal Sites ............................................................................................................... 23 2.3.1 Corycus ........................................................................................................ 23 2.3.2 Anemurium .................................................................................................. 27 2.4 Temple Tomb Sites ..................................................................................................... 30 2.4.1 Imbriogon Kome .......................................................................................... 30 2.4.2 Cambazlı ...................................................................................................... 35 v 2.4.3 Kanytelleis ................................................................................................... 37 2.4.4 Elaiussa-Sebaste ........................................................................................... 39 2.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 43 Chapter 3: Theoretical Approaches to Understanding the Development of Monumental Tombs in the Göksu Valley ........................................................................................................ 46 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 46 3.2 Rites of Passage .......................................................................................................... 47 3.3 The Roman Funeral in Rome ...................................................................................... 51 3.4 The Roman Funeral in Asia Minor ............................................................................. 57 3.5 The Significance of Monumental Tombs in Asia Minor ............................................ 59 3.5.1 States of Being, Identity, and Individuality ................................................. 59 3.5.2 Journeys and Movement .............................................................................. 60 3.5.3 Ritual and Funerary Architecture................................................................. 62 3.5.4