The Middle Bronze Age Pottery of the Izmir Region

Abstract

Izmir region, which has a long history of settlement during the prehistoric periods, is archaeologically represented by the settlements of Çeşme-Bağlararası, Liman Tepe, Bayraklı, Panaztepe, Larisa and Kocabaş Tepe during the Middle Bronze Age. Three main periods of cultural development during the Middle Bronze Age can be summarized upon the study of pottery uncovered from these settlements. These periods have been named Middle Bronze Age I, II and III and have been demonstrated to correlate with other settlements of Western Anatolia. The period defined as Middle Bronze Age I in the region correlates with early Assyrian Trade Colonies period in central Anatolia, with the Middle Helladic II period on Mainland Greece and Middle Minoan IB-II period in Crete. Middle Bronze Age II period in İznir Region can be said to correlate with the Late Assyrian Trade Colonies period of central Anatolia, Middle Minoan III period in Crete and with Middle Helladic III of the Greek Mainland. This period represents the last phase of the Middle Bronze Age in the region, is contemporary with the beginning of the Old Hittite Period in Central Anatolia, as well as the Middle Minoan IIIB - Late Minoan IA period on Crete.