The expansion of Zoroastrianism in Anatolia: In the light of Late Iron Age evidence from Oluz Höyük

Although the exact bithplace and birthdate of Zoroaster is not known, who is the founder of Zoroastrianism (Mazdeism) which thought to have emerged in northwestern Iran or Transoxiana and entered Anatolia by the early 6th century BC with the spread of the Median Empire to the west, it is widely considered that he lived between the years of 628-551 BC. Zoroaster, who left Iran in his twenties, wandered for about 10 years to find the truth. This process resulted in him feeling the presence of Ahura Mazda's and the arrival of the revelation. The contemporary archaeological evidence prove that the monotheism instead of dualism is at the forefront in Zoroastrianism which emerged in 6th century BC. Until the beginning of the 6th century BC, when the Median occupation begun, the existence of politeist beliefs on the basis of a strong paganism has been observed in Anatolia. With the arrival of Medes it is observed that the Early Zoroastrianism with it's Monotheistic basis started to be influential in Kızılırmak Basin (Katpatuka) and in the region to it's east (Armina). Archaeological research which started in Oluz Höyük, which is located to 25 kms. Southwest of Amasya city center, with the discovery of Persian Road in 2009 season and gained momentum with the discovery of Sacred Fire pit in 2013 proves the presence of a fire worshipping, monotheisticly aligned and aniconist population that were disregarding or outright rejecting idols. It is understood that this people who brought architectural identity to their beliefs by building Atashkadah, Sanctuary, Chaparkaneh and a road (Persian Road) connecting those, were of the Persian origin and constituted one of the earliest societies of the Earlier Zoroastrianism. In this doctoral dissertation, the archaeological findings unearthed in Oluz Höyük and the unique information provided by them will be compared with contemporary Zoroastrian cults and practices, and the effects of this breaking point in the history of ancient Anatolian religion will be evaluated. Keywords: Oluz Höyük, Iron Age, Early Zoroastrianism, Modern Zoroastrianism, Achaemenid Empire, Anatolia, Iran