Archaeology of Eastern Anatolia I: From Prehistoric Times to the End of the Iron Ages

The first conference to be dedicated to the archaeology of eastern Turkey was held at Ege University, Izmir, in February 2019. This volume publishes 15 revised versions of papers dealing with issues related to the archaeology of the region. The wide range of topics includes discoveries dating from prehistoric times to the Iron Ages, and both surface surveys and excavations. Chapters cover production activities, ethnoarchaeology, experimental archaeology, chronology and dating, cultural interactions, classification systems, archaeometric analysis and fieldwork experiences. A crucial theme of the conference and of this publication is problems associated with practising archaeology in eastern Anatolia. The main questions addressed are why is there declining interest in doing eastern Anatolian archaeology, how can we ensure consistency among archaeological projects in the region and how can financial and logistical support be secured, what should be done to attract undergraduate and graduate students to the field, and what is the reason for the decreasing number of international collaborations in the region? This book is intended for all those who are interested in the present and future of archaeological practice in eastern Turkey.