In Trace Of The Epipalaeolithic Communities Of Volcanic Cappadocia: Preliminary Assessments

The way of life of mobile human groups began to change radically with changing climatic conditions during the onset of Holocene. The once mobile hunter-gatherers gradually experienced a more permanent sedentism, accompanied by new tools and economic solutions. It is not an easy task to understand this transitional period that lasted for hundreds of years in diverse contexts with different parameters, resulting from the unique behaviours of communities. This period of transition nestles traces of both mobility and sedentism.The region of Cappadocia is home to a vital source of raw material, obsidian, alongside different geological formations such as valleys, water sources, high cliffs and crests, and salt. The landscape allowed hunter-gatherers an easy access to a variety of resources. However, in contrast, this unique structure creates disadvantages to researchers aiming to understand the earliest inhabitants of the region. It is difficult to define Epipalaeolithic campsites, which were occupied for a short period of time with little in situaccumulation of archaeological remains. Natural erosion in the region and similar habitation preferences of the early Christian settlers caused further destruction of what the Epipalaeolithic communities left behind. Our current knowledge on the transition to settled life is thus still enigmatic. However, new data gathered through systematic research on Karasu Basin and the steep areas of Ihlara Valley already suggests a unique Epipalaeolithic tradition for the region