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Crossroads of Trade
History
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The central Anatolian plateau, ochre-hued, cleft by
ravines and dominated by volcanic peaks, forms the heartland
of Turkey. Covered with wheatfields and outlined with ranks of
poplars, the boldly contoured steppe has a solitary majesty.
This plateau was one of the cradles of human civilization. At
Catalhoyuk, remains of settlements from as early as the eighth
millennium B.C. have been unearthed. The homeland of many
people and the historic battleground of East and West; here
the Hattis, Hittites, Phrygians, Galatians,Romans, Byzantines,
Seljuks and Ottomans all fought for their sovereignty and
established their rule. In the 11th century, the migrating
Turks from the east made the plateau their own. During its
turbulent history, Central Anatolia has endured invasion by
great conquerors, such as Alexander the Great and Tamerlane.
In the course of ten millennia of habitation, the denizens of
the area have reflected in their art - from the vigorous
paintings of Catalhoyuk and the confident lines of Seljuk
architecture, to, more recently, the impressive modern form of
Ataturk's mausoleum - the dramatic contours of the surrounding
landscape. |
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