Deliberate Closure of Constructed Spaces: An Anthropological Analysis of Backfilling and Sealing in the Ravne Tunnel System (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and G?bekli Tepe (Türkiye)

Abstract

The deliberate closure of constructed spaces represents a recurring but insufficiently examined phenomenon in archaeological and anthropological research. This study explores patterns of intentional backfilling and sealing in two distinct contexts: the Ravne tunnel system in the Visoko region of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Neolithic site of G?bekli Tepe in southeastern Türkiye. Archaeological investigations conducted between 2006 and 2025 within the Ravne tunnel complex have documented extensive anthropogenic backfill deposits composed of pebbles, sand, and rubble, as well as numerous dry-stone walls constructed to block or stabilize subterranean passages. Stratigraphic analysis indicates that these features are not the result of natural processes but rather represent repeated, structured episodes of infilling and closure. The presence of clearly defined boundaries between natural geological formations and introduced material further supports the interpretation of deliberate human activity. In addition, the complete vertical extent of infill within enclosed tunnel passages and the absence of sedimentary patterns consistent with natural collapse or water transport provide further evidence against non-anthropogenic explanations. Comparable patterns of intentional infilling have been documented at G?bekli Tepe, where monumental stone enclosures were systematically buried using heterogeneous material, including stone fragments, soil, and cultural debris. Although differing in architectural form and environmental setting, both sites exhibit evidence for deliberate closure of constructed spaces through organized deposition of material and, in the case of Ravne, additional structural sealing. Rather than proposing a direct cultural or chronological connection between these sites, this study approaches closure as a form of human behavior observable across different contexts. The analysis focuses on the processes, scale, and material characteristics of backfilling and sealing, and considers possible anthropological interpretations, including ritual closure, controlled decommissioning, and transformation of space. The results suggest that the intentional closure of constructed environments reflects a broader pattern of human activity, with complex interactions among architecture, landscape, and social practice. The Ravne tunnel system provides a large-scale subterranean example of this phenomenon, contributing to a wider comparative framework for understanding how and why human societies terminate the use of built spaces.