Turkey is a country of great
archaeological significance. Examples of important finds on Turkish soil are the cities of
Troy, Pergamon and Efesus.
Turkey has been populated by man since
the beginning of known history. Findings have been made Catalhüyük, in Anatolia, of a
9000 year old civilization. Excavations have revealed artefacts such as altars and
frescoes that appear to come from the first metropolitan civilization on earth.
Subsequent civilizations have left very
few clues, although there is evidence that several Assyrian tribes were active in the
inland regions. The next civilization that left clear traces of its existence was the
Hittite Empire. Excavations of the city of Troy suggest that the inhabitants were Hittites
and there have been findings of Hittite artefacts throughout Turkey.
The Greeks and then the Romans lived and
built extensively in Turkey. Pergamon was the long time capital of the Greek empire; many
of the ruins of this great city can still be visited today. The city of Efesus was of
central importance as a harbour during Roman times; the excavated ruins give a clear sense
of city life in ancient times.
Byzantium, as Istanbul was once known,
was renamed Constantinople by Emperor Constantine. Constantinople became the capital of
the Eastern Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire. One of the basilicas built at the
time can still be viewed in the city today.
In the area surrounding Atlas Marina
there are several places of archaeological importance. Izmir has an extensive
archaeological museum, Çesme and Urla itself also have museums and places of interest
such as a Greek olive press and a Genoan fortress. It is virtually impossible to travel
through Turkey without catching at least a glimpse of its long history, even the waters of
the bay are littered with wrecks and ruins from ancient times.
read more about:
Turkish History
Festivals
Hiking
Towns and Villages |
