Historical geography of Kahramanmaraş in the first quarter of the 2nd millenium BC in the light of archaeological data and cuneiform resources

The geography of Kahramanmaraş is shaped by the mountain ranges that are extensions of the Taurus Mountains, vast plains between these mountains, and valleys formed by rivers. These geographical features have made the city frontiers a focal point for settlement and passage from prehistoric times to the present day. When we look at the research history of the city and the data obtained from our field research, it is observed that there were two distinct cultural divisions in the Protohistoric periods, namely north and south. Factors contributing to this cultural division include impassable high mountains and climate differences. The period that forms the subject of this thesis, which is the first quarter of the 2nd millennium BC, also known as the Assyrian Trade Colonies period, Kahramanmaraş bears an outstanding significance thanks to being located on important trade routes between Assyria and Kanesh, hosting major trade centers called Karum and smaller trade centers called Wabartum. Cuneiform inscriptions in the form of trade documents reveal the extensive commercial organization within these trade centers very effectively. The scale of this commercial organization can be understood from its influence on the rulers governing the city. These rulers provided security for merchants engaged in trade when necessary and could also impose penalties for crimes committed in these lands when appropriate. While bringing goods from Assyria, traders also took some products from Anatolia to Assyria. Additionally, in cities in Anatolia that had commercial centers like Karum and Wabartum, products were bought and sold. Although their localization is not certain, the cities with these commercial centers have been placed within the borders of Kahramanmaraş, including Lawazzantiya, Hurama, and Mama. Apart from these, there are some cities mentioned in cuneiform texts whose localization is much weaker. The routes of these intercity roads were shaped according to the geography. As a result of our surface research and archive scans, the localization positions of the cities have been narrowed down, and the sections of the Assyrian Trade Colony roads passing through Maraş have been suggested.