A Key Palaeolithic Site Bridging Anatolia and the Aegean: Biber Deresi, Assos

KARAHAN G., ARSLAN N.

European Journal of Archaeology, 2025 (AHCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1017/eaa.2025.10
  • Journal Name: European Journal of Archaeology
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, L'Année philologique, Anthropological Literature, Art Abstracts, Art Index, Art Source, International Bibliography of Art, Old Testament Abstracts Online
  • Keywords: Acheulean, Aegean, Assos, lithic technology, Palaeolithic, Çanakkale
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Biber Deresi is an open-air site located on the Assos/Behram, Çanakkale coast, associated with river systems and raw material sources. The site's particular importance is owed to the discovery of the most extensive Lower and Middle Palaeolithic assemblage yet identified on the Aegean coast of Türkiye. The lithic assemblage is characterized by a significant number of large cutting tools, including handaxes, cleavers, and trihedral picks, as well as pebble core tools, which are predominantly chopping tools. Flakes produced from both unprepared and prepared cores predominate. It is evident that, during the Pleistocene low sea level period, the region had a continuous connection with Lesvos and, via the eastern Aegean islands, with mainland Greece. Biber Deresi is identified as a key site, facilitating hominin movement and communication between Asia and Europe, and providing a novel contribution to the Palaeolithic map of the Aegean.