AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThe study underscores the importance of integrating typological and scientific analyses to achieve a thorough understanding of archaeological materials, offering a valuable contribution to the broader field of Medieval military archaeology and technology studies.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Çobankale is strategically located on the historic Istanbul–Iznik route, which connected the former Byzantine capital to Anatolia, and it maintained its significance throughout both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. The castle was constructed on a natural hill at the narrowest point between two key routes, allowing it to control and monitor both the eastern and western passages. This positioning also enabled oversight of travelers, caravans, and military units crossing via boats at the Dil Pier and proceeding along the Yalakdere (Drakon) Valley. Its location reflects a deliberate choice, emphasizing both defensive and surveillance functions, and illustrates the strategic importance of controlling movement along one of the region’s principal arteries during the Medieval and early modern periods. Within the scope of this study, all arrowheads recovered during the archaeological excavations conducted since 2017 at Çobankale, located in the Altınova district of Yalova Province, were examined in detail using both archaeological and archaeometric methods. The artifacts were meticulously documented and analyzed in terms of their excavation contexts as well as their morphological characteristics. In this framework, the arrowheads were subjected to a comprehensive typological classification and evaluated through analogical comparisons with regard to their functional applications, morphological features, and formal attributes. Such typological analyses play a crucial role in understanding the offensive and defensive technologies of the Medieval period, providing valuable insights into the manufacturing techniques and practical uses of the artifacts. The Çobankale arrowheads were classified into two main types based on the cross-sectional shape of their shafts: flat-sectioned and quadrangular-sectioned examples. Flat-sectioned arrowheads likely offered specific aerodynamic and penetrative advantages when used with bows, whereas quadrangular-sectioned arrowheads appear to represent alternative functional approaches and usage techniques. Examples from both types, when considered alongside their stratigraphic and contextual information, contribute significantly to understanding Medieval military practices and weapon technologies in the region. Moreover, this classification allows for comparative analyses not only regarding functional performance but also with respect to technological and production aspects. In addition to typological studies, archaeometric analyses were carried out on the arrowheads. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDS (Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy) techniques were employed to investigate the raw material composition and microstructural properties of the artifacts. These methods provide in-depth information about the manufacturing processes, the types of metal alloys used, and the processing techniques applied, thereby complementing the typological analyses with technological data. The obtained results offer critical insights into metallurgical procedures, such as hardening and shaping techniques, as well as the conditions to which the arrowheads were exposed during their practical use, including mechanical and environmental effects. Consequently, the Çobankale arrowheads have been evaluated both typologically and archaeometrically, producing a comprehensive study that illuminates the region’s Medieval military technology. This holistic approach not only enhances our understanding of the production and utilization of arrowheads but also establishes a solid dataset for future research on Medieval fortifications and weaponry in Anatolia. The study underscores the importance of integrating typological and scientific analyses to achieve a thorough understanding of archaeological materials, offering a valuable contribution to the broader field of Medieval military archaeology and technology studies.
Özet
Gerçekleştirilen bu çalışma kapsamında, Yalova ili Altınova ilçesi sınırları içerisinde yer alan Çobankale’de 2017 yılından bu yana sürdürülen arkeolojik kazılar sırasında ele geçirilen tüm ok uçları ayrıntılı biçimde arkeolojik ve arkeometrik yöntemlerle incelenmiştir. Ok uçları, tipolojik özellikleri temel alınarak kapsamlı bir sınıflandırmaya tabi tutulmuş; işlevsel kullanım alanları, biçimsel nitelikleri ve morfolojik karakterleri açısından analojik yöntemlerle değerlendirilmiştir. Bu bağlamda Çobankale ok uçları, gövdesinin kesit formu dikkate alınarak oluşturulan yassı ve dörtgen kesitli olmak üzere iki tip altında değerlendirilmiştir. Her iki tipe ait örnekler, bölgedeki Ortaçağ savunma ve saldırı teknolojisinin anlaşılması bakımından önemli veriler sunmaktadır. Ayrıca çalışma kapsamında ok uçlarına yönelik arkeometrik analizler gerçekleştirilmiş; SEM (Taramalı Elektron Mikroskobu) ve EDS (Enerji Dağılımlı Spektroskopi) yöntemlerinden yararlanılarak buluntuların hammadde bileşimi ve mikro-yapısal özellikleri değerlendirilmiştir. Bu analizler sayesinde ok uçlarının üretim tekniklerine, metalurjik süreçlerine ve kullanım sırasında maruz kaldıkları koşullara ilişkin önemli bilgiler elde edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Çobankale ok uçları hem tipolojik hem de arkeometrik düzeyde değerlendirilerek bölgenin Ortaçağ askeri teknolojisine ışık tutan bütüncül bir çalışma ortaya konmuştur.