  Gözlükule Shown within Turkey | |
| Location | Tarsus,Mersin Province,Turkey |
|---|---|
| Region | Mediterranean Region |
| Coordinates | 36°55′N34°54′E / 36.917°N 34.900°E /36.917; 34.900 |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Periods | Neolithic Age |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1934-1939 |
| Archaeologists | Hetty Goldman |
Gözlükule is atumulus within the borders ofTarsus city,Mersin Province,Turkey. It is now a park with an altitude of 22 metres (72 ft) with respect to surrounding area.
Initially settled in theNeolithic Period, Gözlükule became an important settlement and a port during the2nd millennium BC.[1]It was located at the intersection of the main road systems, one following theMediterranean sea side, the other following valleys throughToros Mountains toAnatolian plateau (so calledCilician Gates). Eventually the city of Tarsus was established just north of Gözlükule. But Gözlükule was still active as the port ofCilicia. In 41 BCCleopatra VII andMark Antony entered Tarsus using the port of Gözlükule.
In later years, the coastline moved to south because of the sediment carried by theBerdan River and Gözlükule lost its importance as a port.
Before the official excavations began, the tumulus had been partially damaged. During theFrench occupation of Tarsus followingWorld War I, a French battalion had been deployed on Gözlükule. It is believed that this operation resulted in some depredation.
The initial excavations between 1934 and 1939 were carried out by a team fromBryn Mawr College and theInstitute for Advanced Study led byHetty Goldman.[2][3][4]She was the first officially sanctioned woman archeologist.[5] After being interrupted byWorld War II, some additional work went on from 1947 to 1949. The stratification recovered at the site is important in Bronze Age Anatolian chronology.
In 2001,Boğaziçi University began to work at the site, with excavations beginning in 2007.[6] Boğaziçi University announced that it will open aresearch center in Tarsus on 18 February 2017.
