Vorbericht über die Oberflächenbegehungen in den Provinzen Aydın und Muğla

Abstract

Archaeological Field Surveys in Aydin and Mugla, Western Anatolia and the Aegean Coast displayed similar cultural developments, due to their close connection. The main reason for this similarity seems to be the common topographical and climatic conditions of these regions. Starting from prehistoric periods, through ages, Western Anatolia had been related both to the Greek Islands and Peninsula via Aegean Sea and to the Central Anatolian Plateau via Gediz (Hermos) Valley and the Meander Rivers. However, the scholarship focusing on the place and importance of prehistoric cultures of Western Anatolia in the Anatolian and Aegean archaeology is extremely limited. The region has been known in terms of its cultural development because the number of the antique sites belonging to classical period is abundant. The recent systematic excavations in Izmir and its surrroundings unearthed new centers enlightening the earlier periods of the region. Certainly, a similar cultural development existed in the south of the Small Meander River. The lack of research regarding prehistoric times is more evident in the area south of the Small Meander, including the areas of the cities of Aydin and Mugla. ; The first results of the project, "Archaeological Field Survey in Aydin and Mugla" in 2001 have revealed the existence of sites delivering finds belonging to prehistoric times. Obsidian and stone tools together with ceramic fragments found during the field survey proved the existence of Dressed Stone Industry in the Aydin region. This evidence has also helped to clarify the hitherto unknown chronology and relationship between Southern and Western Anatolia. This field survey reveals the existence of centers originally founded during the 4th millennium BC continued in the 3rd and 2nd milllennia BC. In this area, apart from mounds, acropolis and plain settlement units have been observed. ; The following seasons of our archaeological field survey project will be organized with the expectation to identify the expansion of new centers within a large span of time. The archeological data obtained will be evaluated towards a better understanding of the cultural history and chronological development of Western Anatolia.