'Glacis' viewed in the wall system in Anatolia

Anatolia had been home to numerous civilizations since prehistory to the modern times. While it has been home to many civilizations, which influenced others in the neighboring regions, Anatolia was subject to influences and contributions from outside as well. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of glacis in settlements dating to the earliest times until the Iron Age. First, glacis in a specific subregion is compared and contrasted with those within that region and in closest proximity. Then, it is discussed with those in entire Anatolia and finally those in Eastern Mediterranean. Glacis, in its shortest definition, means inclined support wall. Glacis emerged out of necessity in defense systems. We frequently come across glacis especially in hilly settlements (which we usually see in mounds in early examples). It has been observed that the glacis built on the slopes to protect the walls above the mound and slopes, the inhabitants of the settlement chose the appropriate materials in terms of economy and accessibility and used them in the structures. Headings were created according to the material used in the study and the place where the glacis was built, and investigations were made in this context. The glacis, which were also preferred outside the mound settlement, were preferred so that the defensive wall would not collapse. It ranges from simple earthen glacis to monumental glacis made of colossal stones. The glacis types that appear on the slope, in front of the fortification wall and combined with the fortification wall, sometimes appear entirely of stone, and sometimes as rubble and stone pavement. In addition, examples made of compressed earth and mud brick can be mentioned. As a result of the studies, it is possible to follow the spread of glacis from Troy to Western Anatolia and to the interior of Anatolia and from there to the Eastern Mediterranean. It was observed that the term glacis is rarely used in the literature which often times mentioned a term that does not exactly correspond to the technical term in meaning. With the study, the explanation of the term glacis and the determination of its typology will contribute to the archeology literature.