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The Mediterranean region was inhabited as early as 7500 BC, during the
Paleolithic times (Old Stone Age). By 7000 BC a Neolithic (New Stone
Age) city had grown up at what's now called Catalhoyuk, 60 km. southeast
of Konya. Neolithic houses were built adjacent to each other aiming to
provide a defense system (supported by fortified walls) and protection
of heat. Single storied rectangular houses were supported by woods. Very
interestingly the houses did not have any rooms but small openings in
their roof where ladders were used for entrance or exit. In the house
they had platforms higher than the ground level where they slept. Also
the dead were buried under these platforms. These early Anatolians
developed fine wall paintings, statuettes, domestic architecture and
pottery. Artifacts from the site, including the wall paintings, are in
Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. The Chalcolithic period (Stone and Copper Age) saw the building of a city at Hacilar located near Burdur at about 5000 BC. The pottery here was of finer quality and copper implements, rather than stone or clay, were used in the production pf pottery. The excavations made in Hacilar showed that this town was able to produce agricultural products such as lentils, beans or wheat. Also remains of animals such as goats, sheeps, dogs and cows were found in the region. |