Discovering the Paleolithic Ayvalık: A Strategic Crossroads in Early Human Dispersals Between Anatolia and Europe
dc.contributor.author | Bulut, Hande | |
dc.contributor.author | Karahan, Goknur | |
dc.contributor.author | Ozcelik, Kadriye | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2025-10-11T20:48:21Z | |
dc.date.available | 2025-10-11T20:48:21Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
dc.department | Düzce Üniversitesi | en_US |
dc.description.abstract | 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. | en_US |
dc.description.sponsorship | We 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.doi | 10.1080/15564894.2025.2542777 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1556-4894 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1556-1828 | |
dc.identifier.scopus | 2-s2.0-105016687395 | en_US |
dc.identifier.scopusquality | Q1 | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.1080/15564894.2025.2542777 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12684/21865 | |
dc.identifier.wos | WOS:001573947600001 | en_US |
dc.identifier.wosquality | N/A | en_US |
dc.indekslendigikaynak | Web of Science | en_US |
dc.indekslendigikaynak | Scopus | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd | en_US |
dc.relation.ispartof | Journal of Island & Coastal Archaeology | en_US |
dc.relation.publicationcategory | Makale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı | en_US |
dc.rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess | en_US |
dc.snmz | KA_WOS_20250911 | |
dc.subject | Aegean | en_US |
dc.subject | lithic technology | en_US |
dc.subject | coastal archaeology | en_US |
dc.subject | Pleistocene landscape | en_US |
dc.subject | hominin mobility | en_US |
dc.title | Discovering the Paleolithic Ayvalık: A Strategic Crossroads in Early Human Dispersals Between Anatolia and Europe | en_US |
dc.type | Article | en_US |