8,200-year-old needles found in Izmir
08,200-year-old needles found in Izmir
Excavations continue in the Yeşilova and Yassıtepe mounds, where the first people of İzmir lived. During the excavations in which 9 villages were unearthed, bone needles dating back 8,200 years were found. It was determined that needles made from animal bone were used by women in weaving.
Excavations in the Yeşilova and Yassıtepe mounds continue with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Bornova Municipality and Ege University. In the city, where 9 villages were unearthed in a row and whose history dates back to 8,500 years ago, the first people of Izmir, like the inhabitants of today, were found to be the first inhabitants of the city, especially mussels, from many remains such as sea bream from thousands of years ago, poisonous stingrays, sea urchins, oysters and mussels. It was determined that he consumed seafood.
The 2022 excavation season has started in the Yeşilova and Yassıtepe mounds, where the first people of İzmir lived, which shed light on history. The first finds of this year's excavations were stone cutting tools used in meat cutting, wood chipping and furniture processing from 8,200 years ago.
'WE ARE WORKING IN A VERY LARGE AREA'
Emphasizing that the Yeşilova and Yassıtepe mounds are settlement areas where very important findings about İzmir's Aegean past are found, Ege University Faculty of Letters Archeology Department Academic Member Excavation Head Assoc. Dr. Zafer Derin said, "This is a residential area where the history of the city can be understood. We are working in a very large area. We continue this work in 2 sections on an area of 1200 square meters. Various artifacts belonging to many cultures from 8,200, 6 thousand, 5 thousand and 2 thousand years ago today. We uncovered it,” he said.
'BIRD AND SMALL ANIMAL BONES USED'
Stating that during this year's excavations, they finally found needles made of bone material used by the first women of Izmir for sewing, Assoc. Dr. Derin said, "These finds belong to women. The women of Izmir in the past were using them. The needles used at that time, as they are today. They are not made of metal like today. They do not know about this mine. They are made of bone, as in everything else. Mostly bird and small cattle bones were used. "They straighten them, sharpen them and make them into needles. If necessary, they can be used as a buckle or as a jewelry on their collar. They use an animal they eat daily in their life. They don't leave any waste material. They can produce by using these tools in weaving. These belong to women 8,200 years ago." objects,” he said.