New Observations on the Place of Pisidia/Lakes District in Western Anatolia in the Neolithic Period in Terms of Architectural and Pottery Traditions

Abstract

In Pisidia/Lakes Region, the architectural and pottery development of the Neolithic period is known from the settlements of Hacilar, Bademagaci, Kurucay, and Hoyucek, at which excavations have been finalized in the region. The archaeological data collected from these settlements clarify in detail the architectural and pottery development of Pisidia/Lakes Region in the Neolithic Period and are significant in determining the place of the Southeastern Anatolia Region within the Neolithisation process. In this context, the data obtained from the aforementioned excavations provide important clues to understand the cultural structure of the region's Neolithic Period and the network of relations established between the region and its contemporary settlements. One of the primary objectives of this study is to ascertain the direction and existence of communication between the said region and the neighboring and distant regions in the Neolithic Period. The data acquired from the excavations necessitate a re-evaluation especially of pottery wares and forms, for the purpose of using a common language for the region. In this context, the pottery finds of the settlements were renamed in this study. In light of the archaeological data, concerning the chronology problem at Hacilar, and especially the controversial issue of the intended purpose of Hoyucek during the Shrine and the Sanctuary Phases, a different perspective tried to be captured through new suggestions.