Abstract:

Bitlis Castle excavation findings, located on a rocky hill in the center of Bitlis Province, are very important in terms of reflecting the socio-cultural life in the region. During the excavations, many nozzles, coins, glass and metal finds, especially ceramics, were found. The porcelain cup findings obtained during the 2018-2020 excavations of Bitlis Castle will be handled and analyzed in our study. Many Kütahya-made cups and nozzles, as well as porcelain cups, were found near the place, which is thought to be a coffee house in Bitlis Castle. Although porcelain cups are examined in terms of paste, form, decoration and composition properties, it will be tried to identify similar and different aspects with Kütahya made cups. It is seen that underglaze and over-glaze painting technique is frequently used in porcelain cups located in different parts of the area. It is estimated that the cups, which are thought to belong to the 18-20th century Ottoman period, came to the region as imported and it is aimed to determine the possible production places of our subject samples. In addition, it is seen that the porcelain cups in the Late Ottoman period Bitlis Castle reflect the socio-cultural structure of the region. Porcelain samples, whose production ranges are estimated to a large extent, are also important in terms of dating other excavation finds.

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