The experimental archaeology implementations in Turkey: An experimental study on fire using in Boncuklu Höyük

This M.A. thesis study is based on the Experimental Archaeology studies carried out within the borders of Turkey and carried out within the scope of prehistoric periods, and then the main line of the thesis was determined with the Experimental Archaeology study on the use of Fire in the prehistoric periods. Firstly, discussions on Experimentalism, Experimental Archaeology and its history are presented and a background on terminology is established. For this purpose, Experimental Archaeology practices, which are based on archaeological data, work within the framework of scientific questions and scientific methods, are differentiated from other studies that do not have these qualities. The studies examined under the heading of Experimental Archaeology are mentioned whether they have a scientific quality or not. Studies with these and similar purposes, such as demonstration activities, educational activities, reenactment activities and profit-oriented activities, are evaluated as Social Archaeology. Thus, all kinds of activities carried out in Turkey under the name of Experimental Archaeology are classified in line with the criteria determined within the scope of the thesis. After this section, the origin of fire use and how it was started to be used by hominids before the experimental studies on the observations of fire use and smoke patterns in the prehistoric periods were mentioned. We then move on to the Experimental Archaeology studies conducted by us. These studies were carried out inside and outside the experimental replica houses at Boncuklu Höyük. Within the scope of the archaeological data, the studies on how the fire was used and the observation of smoke patterns in the hearths inside and outside the house are presented in detail. In the last part of the thesis, the experimental studies on the use of fire are discussed in detail. In this context the studies carried out in the experimental houses, it has been understood that the different fuel raw materials, especially in the Boncuklu Höyük, vary in the context of elements such as heat, light, calories, and smoke. In addition, it has been understood that Neolithic people may have taken some mitigation measures by making some structural arrangements in the building in order to control the effect of the amount of fuel used on the flame sizes and the smoke density. Fire has been observed as an activity that seems simple to use but is shaped by a series of experiences.