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Document Details : Title: Preliminary Report on the Survey Project of Çivril, Baklan and Çal Plains in the Upper Meander Basin, Southwest Anatolia Author(s): ABAY, Eşref Journal: Ancient Near Eastern Studies Volume: 48 Date: 2011 Pages: 1-87 DOI: 10.2143/ANES.48.0.2119587 Abstract : This article discusses the results of the archaeological surveys conducted between 2003 and 2009 in the Upper Meander Basin in southwest Anatolia. The main aim of the research is to investigate the prehistoric settlement types and patterns in this culture-historically significant region. Our extensive surveys were able to locate more than a hundred sites. The analyses indicate that Neolithic settlements were located far from each other, but a new pattern appeared in the Late Chalcolithic period during which some settlements gained importance and became central places. It is also observed that the number of settlements increased and a hierarchical structure between them becomes more evident during the Early Bronze Age. In this period, apart from the sites on low plains, fortresses situated at strategically important locations, such as on natural passes or trade routes, appear for the first time. In the following periods, namely Middle and Late Bronze Ages, the hierarchical structure among the sites becomes more apparent and complex; planned cities are constructed with upper and lower towns, which indicate that highly organized political entities (states), were emerging in the region. |
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