Early to Mid-Holocene Vegetation History and Human Settlement in Anatolia (original) (raw)

In this chapter we discuss the vegetation history and palaeoecology of Anatolian woodlands, focusing on insights gained through the analysis of anthracological remains from prehistoric habitation sites. In the semi-arid regions of Anatolia, anthracology provides direct evidence of the presence and spread of pioneer woodland species, which often go undetected by pollen analysis, including the entomophilous Rosaceae (e.g., Amygdalus) and poor and/or irregular pollen dispersers (Juniperus, Pistacia, and riparian taxa such as Salicaceae and Fraxinus). We also review anthracological data from Anatolia indicating the development of woodland management practices and anthropogenic woodland habitats by Neolithic agropastoral communities during the early to mid-Holocene period.