Turkish existence in Caucasus before Malazgirt

Caucasia is the name of the region that lies between Black Sea and Caspian Sea in the east-west parallel and its elevation exceeds five thousand meters in the middle sections. It was a frequented place for tribes that have different ethnic features, since it is located in a region where north-south and east-west routes join with each other.Turks have come to Caucasia from their homeland Asia. Studies have been made which show that cairns representing moorland culture and dated to B.C.4000 are constituted by migrants coming from Asia.It is seen that in B.C.2000 tribes accepted as Proto-Turk came to Caucasia and predominated the land till the beginning of the milestone. Chronologically existence of Cimmerians from the beginning of B.C.2000 till B.C. 8th century, and Scythians from B.C.8th century till B.C.2nd century and later on existence of Sarmatians are determined.Existence of Turkish tribes being Alans, Huns, Bulgars, Sabirs, Avars, and Gokturks in chronological order is observed starting from the beginning of the milestone, and it is seen that Khazar Empire is established in Caucasia in the A.D. seventh century.Turks began to fall into decline when Khazar Empire started to lose power in the 10th century. We see Seljukians as the major power besides the existence of Kipchaks starting from the beginning of 11th century, even though they are not so influential. They started raids to Caucasia starting from 1010?s and continued until 1071.Key Words: Caucasia, Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians, Alans, Huns, Bulgars, Sabirs, Avars, Gokturks, Khazars, Kipchaks, Seljukians, Turks.