The history of Turkey is first and foremost
the history of Anatolia, long and rich in
civilizations.
It is in Anatolia that men, emerging from prehistory,
organized themselves and developed, founding urban
settlements which are among the first in the world,
thanks to favourable climatic conditions that enabled
the start of agriculture and animal husbandry.
Cradle and land of welcome of so many civilizations,
Anatolia has grown richer through its various populations.
PREHISTORY
600000 – 8000 BC – THE PALEOLITHIC PERIOD – STONE
AGE
The
most important evidences of the Paleolithic
period in Anatolia can be found in Yarimburgaz
near Istanbul,
and in Karain
near Antalya.
Karain is the only cave known in Anatolia
where all the phases of Paleolithic are represented
without interruption, and that also contains
a number of habitation levels. The skull of
a Neanderthal child and the skull and skeleton
of Homo Sapiens from the Upper Paleolithic
have been unearthed in this cave. Teeth and
parts of skeleton of all types of animals
which lived at stone age and are now mostly
extinct, as well as fossilized plants have
been also excavated.
Bones from Karain Caves
Archaeological Museum of Antalya
7000 BC – THE NEOLITHIC PERIOD – NEW STONE AGE -THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS
The
inhabitants of Anatolia start agriculture
and animal husbandry. They domesticate wild
animals living on their lands (ovine, bovine
and caprine races). They learn to cultivate
wild wheat and barley, to store the products
of their crops. They settle and gather into
villages. This is the first civilization.
Çatalhöyük,
in the south of
Konya, is the best-known cultural centre
in Anatolia and dates back to 6750 BC.
5500 BC – 3000 BC – CHALCOLITHIC PERIOD – COPPER AGE
Social
life develops and personal ornaments and
religious beliefs are expressed in sculpture
and painting (Hacilar, Canhasan,
Beysultan). Copper is the first metal
worked by man. He also trades for the raw
material to manufacture weapons and implements.
Progresses in fortification show the concern
of the villagers to defend themselves against
invaders, which will be their main fear
all along Anatolian history.
Canhasan – Baked clay
1st half of 5th millenium BC