Archaeologists Discover 483 Ancient Settlements in Western Turkey, Shedding Light on Lost Bronze Age Culture
Archaeologists have uncovered 483 ancient settlements in western Turkey, revealing a previously overlooked Bronze Age culture known as the Luwians. These settlements, dating back to between 2000 and 1300 BCE, were found in the region historically known as Asia Minor or Anatolia. The discovery, detailed in a study published in Nature Scientific Data, suggests that the Luwians were a distinct culture, separate from the neighboring Mycenaean Greeks and Hittite Anatolians. The research team, comprising archaeologists, geologists, and geodata specialists, found that the Luwians had their own unique languages, customs, and social structures. The settlements were strategically located on elevated ground, often on hilltops, providing defense and control over surrounding areas. This strategic placement, along with access to natural harbors, indicates that maritime trade was central to the Luwian economy.