Rural Houses With Architectural Decoration and New Examples of Local Workshops (Bauhütte) in Tapureli (Rough Cilicia)

Abstract

Tapureli is an ancient settlement in Rough Cilicia connected to the Kızılgeçit Valley being located 32 km north of Erdemli in the province of Mersin. It attracts attention with its layout and size, continuity of settlement, well-preserved houses and churches. In this study, two decorated houses that we identified among the houses during our surveys in Tapureli are evaluated. There are architectural decorations in Ionic and Corinthian order at the entrances of the houses belonging to the Roman Imperial Period which are also used in the Late Antiquity. These are rare examples in Cilicia and in other regions. In this study, the architectural ornaments and layouts in these two houses are examined in detail. In this context, reconstruction suggestions are undertaken with the data obtained from the entrances of both houses and a dating proposal has been made based on architectural ornaments. The appearance of architectural ornament forms in Tapureli, indicates that architectural elements in cities were also in demand at the countryside. For this reason, the relationship of these houses with local ornament workshops and local craftsmen is discussed. In addition, the reasons for the presence and use of these decorations in the houses located in the countryside of Rough Cilicia are emphasized.