R02 - Before the Neolithic: Epipalaeolithic and Mesolithic Communities in Anatolia and Surrounding Region

Session Organisers: Çiler Altınbilek Algül, Çiğdem Atakuman, Douglas Baird, Semra Balcı

Category: Near East

Session Abstract: Many features of the Southwest Asian Neolithic seem to have gradually emerged during the Epipaleolithic period. For this reason, the detailed study and interpretation of archaeological data from the late Pleistocene and often beginning of Holocene in particular areas is extremely important for understanding the Neolithization process of the larger region. Although the Epipalaeolithic period is well defined in the Southern Levant, our knowledge from sites in Anatolia, the Aegean Islands, Cyprus and the Northern Levant is limited. An important factor has been the lack of research on the late Pleistocene in the region outside the Southern Levant. This situation is gradually changing with the recent discoveries of Epipaleolithic and Mesolithic sites in various areas of Anatolia, indicating that the potential of the region is much higher than initial perspectives. The aim of this session is to re-evaluate the presence and nature of the Epipalaeolithic and Mesolithic communities of Anatolia, the Aegean Islands, Northern Levant and Cyprus in light of recent discoveries. In this respect, presentations are expected to focus on material cultures, regional variability, residential strategies and mobility, subsistence and economy, responses to climate and environmental changes, long-distance relationships and socio-cultural networks, and choice of settlement areas. Furthermore, we also welcome the discussion of ancient DNA studies regarding the early pre-Neolithic contexts in SW Asia.

Room: I

08/11/2024

Start Time - End Time	Authors	Title
10:00 - 10:20	Çetin Şenkul	Climatic and Environmental Dynamics in Anatolia: From the Last Glacial Maximum to the Early Holocene
10:20 - 10:40	Metin Kartal, Gizem Kartal	A New Epi-palaeolithic Site in Western Taurus: Kızılin
10:40 - 11:00	Göknur Karahan, Kadriye Özçelik	Epipaleolithic Layers of Karain B (Mediterranean Region, Turkey)
11:00 - 11:20	All Participants	Discussion

Lunch Break

Start Time - End Time	Authors	Title
13:00 - 13:20	Çiler Altınbilek Algül, Orkun Kaycı, Semra Balcı, Avi Gopher, Damase Mouralis, Hale Tümer, Derya Silibolatlaz	Epipalaeolithic Hunter-Gatherers of the Central Taurus: Eşek Deresi Cave (East Mediterranean/Türkiye)
13:20 - 13:40	Jean-Denis Vigne , Briois François, Cucchi Thomas, Hadad Remi, Mazzucco Niccolo, Mylona Pantelitsa, Rousou Maria, Zazzo Antoine	New light about the Epipaleolithic in Cyprus: the settlement of Pakhtomena
13:40 - 14:00	Douglas Baird, Gökhan Mustafaoğlu	The Epipalaeolithic in central Anatolia; excavations at Pınarbaşı
14:00 - 14:20	All Participants	Discussion

Coffee Break

Start Time - End Time	Authors	Title
14:45 - 15:05	Cevdet Merih Erek	A General Overview of the Epipaleolithic Cultures of Direkli and Yusufun Kayası Caves and Material Culture Assessment
15:05 - 15:25	Yoshihiro Nishiaki	Natufian phenomenon in the northern Levant: A case at Dederiyeh Cave, North Syria
15:25 - 15:45	Ergül Kodaş	The Epipaleolithic period in the Mardin Area
15:45 - 16:05	All Participants	Discussion

Coffee Break

Start Time - End Time	Authors	Title
16:30 - 16:45	Yavuz Aydın, Eşref Erbil	Late Epipaleolithic Hunter-Gatherers of Northwestern Anatolia: Ballık Cave, İzmir/Turkey
16:45 - 17:00	Deniz Sarı	Gedikkaya Cave in North-western Türkiye: the Epipalaeolithic layer that connected to ritual activity
17:00 - 17:15	Hülya Çalışkan Akgül	Koskarlı Cave: The First Epipaleolithic Site Excavation in the Southeastern Black Sea Area
17:15 - 17:30	Çiğdem Atakuman, Cansu Karamurat, Hasan Can Gemici, Dilek Koptekin, Mehmet Somel	Patterns of the Neolithization in the Aegean: A synthesis of Material Culture and a-DNA Evidence
17:30 - 17:45	All Participants	Discussion