Survey of Urbanization and Rural Settlements in Rough Cilicia during Antiquity

Year 2020, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 1 - 6, 31.12.2020

Ümit Aydınoğlu

Abstract

Our surveys in the eastern part of Rough Cilicia led to the identification of numerous rural settlements. The survey area is bounded by the Kalykadnos (Göksu) and Lamos (Limonlu) rivers and lies between Erdemli and Silifke, districts of Mersin province. With its long coastline, Rough Cilicia not only forms part of the southern coastline of Anatolia but also is at an important position in the East Mediterranean. In the course of our surveys in the region numerous settlements of varying sizes and dating to various periods have been documented. Areas were visited and surveyed using total station and GPS and their topographic maps were drawn. Aerial photos were taken, as well. Evaluation and interpretation of data obtained from the surveys started to be made using different techniques. In this context, we initiated the interpretation of the spatial organization and settlement stages of agricultural activities in Rough Cilicia by employing geographical information systems and spatial-correlative analysis methods. Thus, we hope to derive scenarios regarding the spatial organization of agricultural activities in Antiquity based on common model(s) identified by transferring the archaeological finds to GIS and employing the spatial correlative analysis methods. Upon completion of this work we plan to reveal our model of the settlement staging that occurred between the urban and rural settlement areas in Antiquity by transferring to GIS the settlement network in Rough Cilicia. Studies brought to light new data regarding the geographic/climatic and social/political conditions that paved the way for the emergence of the rural settlements in this region. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of architecture and relevant production increasing toward the end of the 2nd century and into the 3rd century A.D. Most of settlements stand out with their well preserved remains. Remains recorded at settlements belong to a time span from the Hellenistic period through late antiquity. Settlements of Hellenistic character within the survey area are parts of a common defense and settlement system. Our recent surveys have noted a high number of Hellenistic settlements in the countryside in the survey region. These settlements remained inhabited after the Hellenistic period. Furthermore, many more settlements of rural character were also founded during and after the Roman period.

Keywords

Rural Settlements, Rough Cilicia, Antiquity, Mersin

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