Research at the Isabey Hammam
The Isabey Hammam did not stand on its own, but was part of a large complex which included a number of structures. In this complex, a large amount of pottery was found, which can tell us much about the function of the complex.
It was analysed per room, each of which were dated. Interestingly, while the building is dated to the Selcuk-Ottoman period, some Byzantine material can be found in some of the rooms. The lack of building-historical data on the complex as a whole and its different construction phases prevents us from drawing any conclusions regarding a possibly earlier Byzantine phase of part of the complex, or the presence of a Byzantine structure, but because of the Byzantine finds we could speculate about a preceding constructions to the ruins still visible today.
Ground plan of the Isabey Hammam and its adjacent structures, with the different phases present in each room based on pottery finds which were dated by J. Vroom
Ground plan of the Isabey Hammam and its adjacent structures, with the different phases present in each room based on pottery finds which were dated by J. Vroom
These figures illustrate the prevalence of different functional wares in the different rooms of the hammam. In general, most rooms contain a majority of table wares and light utility wares. The two rooms in the north-west stand out, because they contain a relatively high share of light utility wares. The share of heavy utility wares in the assemblages for each room seems to increase with distance to the centre of the hammam (the hot room – centre of the plan).
(Image by J. Splinter, information by J. Vroom)
Distribution of Pipes
This image displays the prevalence of water pipes in the different parts of the complex. Remarkable is the relative concentration of water-pipe fragments in the north-west of the building and equally the lack of water piper in the north-east. The large concentration of water pipe fragments in the central northern area supports the interpretation that this area served as the entrance hall to the hammam. The relative scarcity of water pipe fragments in the eastern area of the complex is remarkable considering the relatively prevalent light utility and table wares. The pottery seems to suggest the rooms to the east were used for similar activities of leisure and dining as in the central north, with a similar assemblage of table and light utility wares, but one would perhaps expect a similar prevalence of water pipes if both areas had served a similar purpose.
