ABSOLUTE CHRONOLOGY OF CULTURAL CONTINIUTY, CHANGE AND BREAK IN WESTERN ANATOLIA BETWEEN 6850-5460 CAL. BC: THE ULUCAK HÖYÜK CASE

A total of sixty-five radiocarbon dates from Ulucak Höyük, including charcoal and short-lived species taken from Level VI–Level III, clearly prove a long history of occupation at the site, from 6850 cal. BC to 5460 cal. BC. Based on this radiocarbon seriation, this article explores the origins of sedentary life its gradual transformation, and abrupt changes at the site. A discussion of the sequence of events is also presented within a regional framework. Ulucak Höyük is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming and animal husbandry in the Aegean. Archaeological materials and radiocarbon dates confirm the existence of initial Neolithic layers, ca. 6850 cal. BC. Radiocarbon dates suggest that occupation between Ulucak VI and V continued without a gap. However, a gradual transformation has been observed starting from Level Vb onwards, which overlapped more or less with the 8.2 ka Climate Event. After a short gap between the Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic, an abrupt change in almost every aspect of material culture occurred around 5600 cal. BC.