Kaletepe Deresi 3 (Turkey), archaeological, chronological and palaeontological aspects of a Pleistocene sequence in central Anatolia

Abstract

Located in the volcanic area of central Anatolia, Kaletepe Deresi 3 was discovered in the summer of 2000, and excavated since this date, revealing the first in situ open-air Palaeolithic site in Turkey. Volcanic activity in the region generated a number of obsidian intrusions that resulted in important human settlements in prehistoric society. The sequence presents, at this time, seven archaeological occupations from the Lower to Middle Palaeolithic on 4.40-m depth. Tephra deposits justify the dating of human settlements. An analysis of the lithic industry at the site illustrates a wide range of technical and economical behaviours. Kaletepe Deresi 3 reveals a Palaeolithic sequence that could be considered as one of the most ancient and most complete yet discovered in Turkey. (C) 2004 Publie par Elsevier SAS pour Academie des sciences.