The first traces of settlement in Northwest Anatolia

Anatolia Turkey's gate opening Europe has became an attractive settlement for settlers throughout history since prehistoric times Even today it is of great promience as settlement. In result of surface surveys and excavations, It is understood that there were settlements in Northwestern Anatolia in the Paleolithic, Epipalaeolytic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic Periods. Cities of Çanakkale and Balıkesir have been included in our study topic.In both of the cities we studied, We encountered settlementsbelonging to Paleolithic Period- 6 in Çanakkale and 5 in Balıkesir in total 11; settlements belonging to Epipalaeolytic –only one in Balıkesir; settlements belonging to Neolithic 6 in Çanakkale and 3 in Balıkesir in total 9, and finally settlements belonging to Chalcolithic - 11 in Çanakkale and 14 in Balıkesir in total 25. It was identified that Most of these settlements were established in areas close to wetlands which is basic need of human life. Information which sheds light on these settlements is reached thanks to findings acquired as a result of surface surveys and excavations caried out in these areas. As a matter of fact, Findings unerathened from these settlements reflect the features of these prehistoric ages. Yet due to not only unsufficient researches but also to damage uncounciously caused by the living in the nature, It wasn't possible to obtain very detailed extensive information from settlements. The aim of this thesis study titled "First settlements traces in Northwest Anatolia" is to examine by studying their surface surveys and excavations which were done in Northwest Anatolia in time interval which is from Paleolithic Period to Bronze Age with very wide lines in the frame of Çanakkale and Balıkesir cities and to provide as source for subsequent works . Another aim of this study is to provide better understanding which the first settlements are in Paleolithic, Epipaleolytic, Neolithic and Chalcolitik Ages from prehistoric times of Çanakkale and Balıkesir, that these settlements separated from each other by showing what like variabilities and findings obtained from settlements which were identfied and general featurs as to settlements. Key Words: Northwest Anatolia, Settlement, Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Prehistoric.