The relationship of cave, people and belief in ancient times; caves as places of worship of the Mother Goddess in Anatolia

The aim of this research is to reveal the relationship between caves, humans and belief in ancient times through caves, which were places of worship for the Mother Goddess in Anatolia. Many issues such as the geological and geomorphological features of caves, their fauna and flora, and their importance in terms of tourism and health have been the subject of research. In addition, the purposes for which they were used by people since the Paleolithic Period have been examined in detail. Within the scope of this research, the examination of caves in ancient times through caves, which were places of worship for the Mother Goddess, within the scope of the relationship between humans and belief, constitutes its difference and originality from other studies. The research is built on 5 sections: In the first section, caves are discussed with their geological and geomorphological features. In the second section, the early traces, development and quality of the relationship between humans and caves are emphasized. In the third section, caves are examined in ancient thought and myths. In the fourth section, it is aimed to read the relationship between caves and belief in ancient times in Anatolia through the Mother Goddess. The fifth section is devoted to general evaluation. The study was conducted within the framework of the descriptive scanning model and data was collected through document analysis. The ultimate goal of the research is to evaluate the cult caves within the framework of the relationship between people and belief within the scope of the evaluation of the cult use and findings. The temporal framework of the research is limited to the Ancient Age. The concept of the Ancient Age, which is quite controversial regarding a certain time limitation, can generally be evaluated as a concept related to the change in belief system, architecture, sculpture and written works with the discovery and development of writing and its effect on the Mediterranean civilization from the perspective of the Mediterranean world. The spatial framework of the research consists of examples of cult caves dedicated to the Mother Goddess from Anatolia..