tc ankara üniversitesi sosyal bilimler enstitüsü arkeoloji

ABSTRACT
Votruba, Dilşad Sıla, Sea Trade of Western Anatolia During the Second
Millennium B.C., Master's Thesis, Advisor: Prof. Dr. Hayat Erkanal, 204 pp.
In this study trade and cultural relations of Western Anatolia with overseas
lands during the 2nd Millennium B.C. is discussed. By the beginning of the
millennium, due to the newly shaping central powers, demand for raw materials
increased. These central powers founded colonies on specific routes in order to
reach the necessary raw materials, especially metals. Western Anatolia is critically
important from this point of view. It has rich metal sources as well as good soil and
climate for a variety of crops to be grown. The region also has easy passes through
the valleys providing access to the rich resources of the East. Due to these reasons,
Western Anatolia was one of the important locations for central power's demands.
In the Aegean central powers are first shaped in Crete by the beginning of the
2nd millennium. As soon as Crete dominated the Aegean Sea, it developed a sea
route known as the "Eastern String" in order to reach Southwestern Anatolia's
resources, as well as "Western String" to reach the metal sources in Attica. Strong
Cretan influence from this time period can be seen throughout the Southwestern
Anatolian sites, especially in Miletos. After a short time Minoan influence expanded
to the Northeastern Aegean, all the way to the Island of Samothrace.
Towards the end of the Middle Bronze Age relations between Mainland
Greece and Western Anatolia started to take place. These relations can be seen from
the pottery of Mainland Greece found in Western Anatolia such as Matt Painted and
Minyan Wares. These relations may have developed from elite people's prestige
good exchange. Intensive contacts between the Island of Aegina and the Izmir
Region are particularly striking.
By the end of the Middle Bronze Age and beginning of the Late Bronze Age,
Mainland Greece started to take share from the maritime trade market, while Minoan
Crete was at the peak of its sea power. At about 1450 B.C., apart from Knossos and
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