GRE FILLA (AMBAR I) MOUNT GLASS FINDS

Abstract

Within the scope of the Silvan Project, Silvan, Ergani, Çermik, Ambar, Başlar and Kuruçay dams were built on the branches of the Upper Tigris basin feeding from the north, which is fed by many streams originating from the south-facing slopes of the Southeastern Taurus Mountains and the northern skirts of Karacadağ and Mardin-Midyat Plateau. Three mounds named Ambar Höyük, Gre Fılla (Ambar I) Höyük and Kendale Hecala Höyük are affected from the Ambar Dam, which was built 5 km south of Ambar Village, 6 km west of Kocaköy District. The whole of Gre Fılla (Ambar I) mound, located in the village on the west coast of Ambar Stream, remains in the water retention area. Within the scope of the Ambar Dam Rescue Project, salvage excavations have been planned in Gre Fılla (Ambar I) Mound. The excavations started in this mound are the first archaeological excavations to be carried out in this part of the Upper Tigris basin. A large number of glass vessels have been found during the excavations that started in 2018 and are still ongoing. Almost all of the glass vessels identified were found as a whole. When we consider it on the basis of production technique, it is understood that these containers are produced with free blowing technique and mold blowing technique. Glass vessels unearthed during the Gre Fılla (Ambar I) Mound excavations; Includes sprinkler, bottle and plate forms. It has been observed that these vessels, which are generally produced in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD and called as sprinkler, have a wide rim, a long neck, sometimes an onion body and sometimes a conical body. As can be seen in the early bottles and unguentariums, there is a narrowing on the inside of the neck of these vessels where it meets the body. Samples of these vessels with flat bodies as well as decorated samples were found. In addition to the sprinklers, unguentarium and bottle samples produced by free blowing technique and probably produced in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, and a plate, possibly produced in the 4th century AD, are among the glass vessels. Glass vessels unearthed during the Gre Fılla (Ambar I) Mound excavations show similar characteristics to glass vessels produced between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD.