ORTA TUNÇ ÇAĞINDADA KARİA: KYKLADLI MI, MİNOSLU MU YOKSA ANADOLULU MU?

Öz

Bu çalışma, Karia’nın Orta Tunç Çağı’nı Batı Anadolu ve Ege’nin daha geniş kültürel etkileşimleri çerçevesinde ele almaktadır. Uzun süre boyunca Klasik arkeolojinin gölgesinde kalan bölgenin Tunç Çağı araştırmaları, ancak son yıllarda sistematik bir hal almaya başlamıştır. Mezarlar, yerleşimler ve ithal malzemelerden elde edilen kanıtlar hem yerel gelenekleri hem de denizaşırı bağlantıları ortaya koymaktadır. Erken Tunç Çağındaki temeller, Kykladlar ve Kıbrıs ile ilişkileri göstermekte; mottled (alacalı) seramikler ise doğrudan Girit etkisinden ziyade bölgesel kimliği vurgulamaktadır. Orta Tunç Çağı’nda en güçlü Girit etkisi Iasos’ta gözlenmekte, ancak bu bağlamlar kolonileşmeden çok kültürel melezleşmeyi yansıtmaktadır. Aphrodisias ve Çine-Tepecik gibi iç bölgelerdeki yerleşimler ise belirgin biçimde Anadolu karakterini sürdürmüştür. Bu nedenle, Karia’da “koloniler”den söz etmek yerine hareketlilik ve denizaşırı etkileşimlerden bahsetmek daha uygundur. Antik yazarların sözünü ettiği “Minos thalassokrasisi” ise, tarihi bir gerçeklik değil, Girit halkının denizaşırı bağlantıları kurma konusundaki başarısından geriye kalan bir hatırlanışı olarak okunmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Karia
• Minoslulaşma
• Kykladlar
• Orta Tunç Çağı

KARIAN THROUGH THE EARLY AND MIDDLE BRONZE AGES: CYCLADIC, MINOAN, OR ANATOLIAN?

Öz

This study discusses the Middle Bronze Age characteristics of Karia within the broader cultural interactions of western Anatolia and the Aegean. Long overshadowed by Classical archaeology, the region’s Bronze Age record has only recently received systematic attention. Evidence from cemeteries, settlements, and imported material highlights both local traditions and overseas connections. The Early Bronze Age foundations demonstrate interaction with the Cyclades and Cyprus, while mottled wares emphasize regional ceramic identities rather than direct Cretan influence. During the Middle Bronze Age, the strongest Cretan presence is observed at Iasos, though these contexts reflect hybridization rather than colonization. Inland sites such as Aphrodisias and Çine-Tepecik retain distinctly Anatolian characteristics. Rather than governed colonies, mobility and cross-regional contacts shaped Karia’s cultural landscape. The so-called “Minoan thalassocracy” is thus better understood as a memory of Minoan maritime capabilities, while Karia’s Bronze Age identity remained rooted in Anatolian traditions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Karia
• Minoanisation
• Cyclades
• Middle Bronze Age

Kaynakça

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