A “communal” building of the beginning of the Early Bronze Age at Arslantepe-Malatya (Turkey). Spatio-functional analysis and interpretation of the archaeological context

At Arslantepe towards the end of the 4th millennium BC, after the destruction of the palatial complex of period VIA, the following period VIB1 witnesses the flimsy architectural remains of wattle-and-daub huts associated with a ceramic culture clearly recalling the contemporary Kura-Araxes traditions of Eastern Anatolia and Southern Caucasus. The combination of architectural and zooarcheological data suggest that period VIB1 represented the occupation by one or more specialised pastoral communities. Recent excavations at Arslantepe have brought to light an imposing mud-brick building (Building 36) dating to period VIB1. Building 36 rested on top of a large courtyard and of a monumental hall dating to the period VIA palace complex, thus highlighting a strong sense of continuity in terms of monumental architecture between phases VIA and VIB1. Building 36 was destroyed by a violent fire, burying a huge amount of materials in situ (83 ceramic vessels, metals and stone tools). A detailed reconstruction of the material assemblages and a thorough analysis of the functions of the building will constitute the main focus of this paper. This will ultimately shed light on the functions and political significance of this special building in the VIB1 settlement in the frame of ceremonial feastings that may have represented the new strategies enacted by the new Kura-Araxes oriented élites that emerged in the Malatya region following the collapse of the Uruk-related centralised system.