Discovering the Paleolithic Ayvalık: A Strategic Crossroads in Early Human Dispersals Between Anatolia and Europe

dc.contributor.authorBulut, Hande
dc.contributor.authorKarahan, Goknur
dc.contributor.authorOzcelik, Kadriye
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-11T20:48:21Z
dc.date.available2025-10-11T20:48:21Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentDüzce Üniversitesien_US
dc.description.abstractLocated 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.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipWe extend our sincere gratitude to the Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums for granting the necessary research permits. We also wish to express our appreciation to the Bal & imath;kesir Museum Directorate, Bal & imath;kesir Metropolitan Municipality, and Bal & imath;kesir City Council for their invaluable support and collaboration. Their contributions have been instrumental in the successful execution of our fieldwork. Additionally, we would like to thank all members of our research team for their dedication, hard work, and valuable contributions throughout the study. Their commitment and efforts have been essential to the success of this research. We are also grateful to the anonymous reviewers and the editorial team for their constructive feedback and guidance during the revision process, which contributed to the improvement of this article.en_US
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/15564894.2025.2542777
dc.identifier.issn1556-4894
dc.identifier.issn1556-1828
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105016687395en_US
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/15564894.2025.2542777
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12684/21865
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001573947600001en_US
dc.identifier.wosqualityN/Aen_US
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Scienceen_US
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopusen_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherRoutledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltden_US
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Island & Coastal Archaeologyen_US
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanıen_US
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessen_US
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20250911
dc.subjectAegeanen_US
dc.subjectlithic technologyen_US
dc.subjectcoastal archaeologyen_US
dc.subjectPleistocene landscapeen_US
dc.subjecthominin mobilityen_US
dc.titleDiscovering the Paleolithic Ayvalık: A Strategic Crossroads in Early Human Dispersals Between Anatolia and Europeen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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