The Architecture and Village-Spatial Organization of the Middle PPNB Period at Boncuklu Tarla: Some Observations on the Domestic and Public Areas

Abstract

Boncuklu Tarla is a settlement located within the borders of the village of Ilısu in the Dargeçit district of Mardin. The settlement provides important information on the architecture of the PPNA and PPNB periods, in particular the architectural traditions of the Middle PPNB, the focus of this article. In addition, these remain to allow the evaluation of village-space organization. The architectural remains found at Boncuklu Tarla also provide the opportunity to compare the Middle PPNB period architecture unearthed at various settlements such as Çayönü, Nevali Çori, Gritille, Tell Halula, Akarçay Tepe, Gre Fılla and Cafer Höyük in a regional context. This study aims to present and discuss new information on how village spatial organization changed within the PPNB period, following on from previous discussions on the PPNA period data. Especially within the Middle PPNB period, it is thought that the village spatial organization model of being centered around public buildings was abandoned at Boncuklu Tarla. It is believed that with this change the public buildings were separated from the dwellings but still influenced their spatial organization. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.