Paleolithic Researches in Assos (Behram)

Abstract

Assos (Behram) is built on the ancient volcanic hill 234 meters high, located on the southern coast of Troas, just opposite the island of Lesbos. The archaeological background of Assos dates back to the Chalcolithic at the earliest and is mostly associated with ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods. For this reason, the Paleolithic researches in the region to create the prehistoric chronology of Assos is of great importance. In the researches carried out around the ancient city in 2021, 12 Paleolithic findspots were identified. The findspots are directly related to raw material sources such as basalt, flint are very rich on the land. Lithic assemblages consist of large cutting tools, pebble core technology, prepared and unprepared core technology, retouched and unretouched flakes technology groups. Large cutting tools associated with core tool technology such as bifacial handaxes, massive scrapers, chopper, and chopping tools are important among artifacts. Prepared core technology are associated with the Levallois technique was highly used. The proportion of retouched tools was high and was mostly associated with denticulate and notched tools. The assemblages reflect the characteristics of the Lower and Middle Paleolithic periods in terms of their technological features. The high precentages of tool groups point the function of living areas rather than workshops. The result of the initial research conducted in Assos, which has a special geographical location between Asia and Europe, led to the arrival of important remains that proved hominin activity in the early stages of the Paleolithic period.