A Mountain, in which Many cultures embedded close to smyrna (İzmir): Nif (Olympos)

Abstract

Nif (Olympos) Mountain is located east of Izmir (Smyrna) Bay around borders of Kemalpaşa, Buca and Torbalı districts. The Nif Mountain along with its surrounding was the most ignored and the least documented region by travelers, modern researchers, as well as ancient sources in spite of it having a very convenient location close to Izmir (Smyrna). During our first excursions (1999-2001) we observed that, because of natural destruction (especially by tree roots) and illegal excavations, the region was being destroyed day by day without documented. In order to save cultures in layers below, scientific researches and excavations should have been done immediately. Therefore we began with the surveys in 2004 by the permission of The Ministery of Culture and Tourism of The Turkish Republic and then the excavations in 2006 with "The Decision of the Council of Ministers" (Bakanlar Kurulu Kararı). On the Nif Mountain through our surveys (2004-2005) and very first archaeological excavations (2006-2011) revealed the structures, various stone, metal and glass objects along with pottery dated from 8th century B.C. to 14,h century A.D. During our surveys, at the southwest of Kemalpaşa (former Nymphaion) District a Byzantine structure was discovered at Kozludere (now called "Gümüşhaneliler Yaylası" (Plateau of the settlers from Gümüşhane) at the altitude of 640 m. Of this barrel-vaulted and windowless building are in north and south walls five mutual venues, each of them vaulted. The arched entrance is in the west. According to experts, the walls, made of rubble stone and pieces of brick-and-tile with mortar, dates the Middle Byzantine Period (10lh-13,h century A.D.). The function of the structure could be probably a grave, as illegal diggings brought human bones to light. Perhaps an ecclesiastical residues of Byzantine Period, must be identified in the two adjacent natural caves on the Savanda / Kız Kalesi (Maiden's Castle) Hill with three peaks near the Kurudere Village (now Nazarköy), in front of which walls of rubble-stones and brick with mortar have been built. In one of the caves, besides the partition walls, there is a large rectangular cistern carved in stone, and on the ceiling of the other one can be seen re-mainings of multi-colored floral and figural frescoes. The excavations so far were carried out, only in Karamattepe, Ballica-oluk, Dağkızılca and Başpınar areas, on the eastern part of the Nif Mountain. In 2004, we have applied for the procedure of declaring as First Degree Archaeological Site of those fields. In 21.11.2007 Karamattepe and Ballicaoluk, in 09.10.2008 Başpınar and in 17.10.2008 Dağkızılca were registered as First Degree Archaeological Sites by the claim of Second Regional Commission of İzmir for Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets. In Karamattepe field since 2006, stone fundamentals and some stonewall residues of rectangular rooms (some with curved walls) on marl were unearthed along with circular pits carved in marl. The settlement belongs to Geometric/Archaic Period due to the ceramics dated from the 8lh century B.C. to the middle of the 6th century B.C. This area was also used as a necropolis in the Hellenistic Age, considering the twelve inhumation and two cremation graves, which have been excavated till now. In Ballicaoluk area since 2008, the measuring and digging works are carried out to determine the plan of the Hellenistic Castle, and the settlement phases. The archaeological material found there in recent years, indicates an early settlement (8th/7,h century B.C.) parallel to Karamattepe. In the Dağkızılca Necropolis, which includes different types of graves (tumuli, tomb chambers, cist graves, terracotta sarcophagi), the geophysical researches were carried out. The plundered tombs, from which only a few objects are left, were excavated and documented. In Başpınar area, first archaeological digging in pillaged Byzantine church of Laskaris period started in 2007 and till now a Byzantine building complex, which consisting of three buildings came into the light. "The Nif (Olympos) Mountain Research and Excavation Project" aims to develop an examplary project in the leadership of Istanbul University with scholars from all Turkish Universities; to reveal unknown cultural history of region and present it to academic world by publications; to protect cultural heritage, raise consciousness about preserving them for the future.