Discovering the Paleolithic Ayvalık: A Strategic Crossroads in Early Human Dispersals Between Anatolia and Europe
Küçük Resim Yok
Tarih
2025
Yazarlar
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
Özet
Located on the northeastern Aegean coast, Ayval & imath;k was intermittently exposed as dry land during periods of lowered sea level in the Pleistocene, providing opportunities for early human occupation and mobility. This study explores the Paleolithic potential of Ayval & imath;k, a region in western Anatolia that has remained largely unexamined in Pleistocene archaeology and presents initial findings. Surveys conducted in the region identified 138 lithic artifacts at 10 sites. The most extensive assemblage, attributed to the Middle Paleolithic based on diagnostic core reduction strategies, is dominated by systematic Levallois flaking that resembles technological traits of the Mousterian tradition. In contrast, only a small number of Lower Paleolithic tools, such as handaxes and cleavers, were identified. Upper and/or Epipaleolithic traces are represented by blade and bladelet technologies. Despite preservation challenges due to Ayval & imath;k's geology and dynamic coastal processes, these findings reveal a previously undocumented Paleolithic presence and establish Ayval & imath;k as a promising locus for future research on early human dispersals in the northeastern Aegean.
Açıklama
Anahtar Kelimeler
Aegean, lithic technology, coastal archaeology, Pleistocene landscape, hominin mobility
Kaynak
Journal of Island & Coastal Archaeology
WoS Q Değeri
N/A
Scopus Q Değeri
Q1
