Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Şengül Aydıngün

Email: sengul19@gmail.com; sengulaydingun@kocaeli.edu.tr

Affiliation: Archaeology Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey

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Research Interests: History; Anatolian Archaeology; Bronze Age, Classical Archaeology

Dr. Şakir CAN

Email: sakir.can@kocaeli.edu.tr; cansakircs@hotmail.com

Affiliation:Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Archaeology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey

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Research Interests: History; Prehistoric Architecture; Spatial Organisation; rural community

Summary

Anatolia has long been recognized as a pivotal bridge between continents, cultures, and eras. However, the true historical significance of this region lies not only within its modern borders but also in its profound relationship with its hinterlands—the Balkans, the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, the Levant, and the Mediterranean world.

In light of groundbreaking recent excavations and interdisciplinary research, this special issue aims to re-evaluate the historical and archaeological narrative of Anatolia and its connected geographies.

By embracing a broad chronological spectrum, from the first sedentary communities of the Neolithic to the complex socio-political landscapes of the Medieval period, this issue seeks to uncover the long-term dynamics of human interaction and cultural synthesis in Anatolia.

Scope and Objectives

We invite scholars and researchers to submit original research articles, site reports, and theoretical papers that offer new insights into the material culture and historical evolution of Anatolia. We particularly encourage studies that utilize multidisciplinary approaches (e.g., archaeometry, bioarchaeology, digital humanities) to shed light on:

• Regional Interconnectedness: Trade networks, migration patterns, and cultural exchange between Anatolia and its neighbors.
• New Chronological Data: Recent finds that challenge or refine existing timelines from the Neolithic to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
• Urbanization and Landscape: The evolution of settlement patterns, sacred spaces, and the management of natural resources.
• Identity and Social Complexity: Assessing social hierarchies, gender, and ethnicity through current archaeological data.

Submission Themes

We are looking for contributions including, but not limited to:

1. Prehistoric Transitions: New evidence on the Neolithization of Anatolia and its spread to the West.
2. Bronze and Iron Age Kingdoms: Political landscapes and international diplomacy in light of new epigraphic and material finds.
3. Classical and Medieval Transformations: The impact of imperial structures on local Anatolian cultures.
4. Scientific Methodologies: The role of isotopic analysis and remote sensing in interpreting recent finds.

Contributions are expected to move beyond the presentation of archaeological data and engage with broader historical interpretations and long-term transformations.

Keywords

Anatolia, Hinterlands, Asia Minor, Aegean and Balkan Interactions, Near Eastern Archaeology, Cultural Exchange, Material Culture, Recent Excavations, Connectivity, Landscape Archaeology, Trade Networks, Multi-disciplinary Research