Ancient Ice Age findings indicate a potential route from modern-day Türkiye, which could have served as a passage for early humans migrating to Europe.
In the picturesque town of Ayvalik, located on the western coast of Turkey, a groundbreaking archaeological project has been unveiled. Led by a fully female team of archaeologists from Türkiye, the research has revealed that Ayvalik holds significant potential for understanding Paleolithic technological features in the eastern Aegean.
The town, known for its olive groves and islands, had never before been systematically studied for its Paleolithic potential. During a two-week field survey, researchers found handaxes, cleavers, Levallois-style flake tools, and evidence of shared technology, suggesting an alternative route for humans entering Europe during the Pleistocene era.
If confirmed, the Ayvalik land bridge would add Türkiye to the small list of regions that served as crucial stepping-stones in humanity's journey across continents. Dr. Hande Bulut, a member of the team, believes Ayvalik may have served as a long-term habitat during the Paleolithic era.
The discoveries in Ayvalik could help determine how the town fits into the broader picture of human movement into Europe. Future archaeological research in regions such as the Balkans, Southeast Europe, Anatolia, and islands like Cyprus could add important insights into early human migration routes around the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, the team's leader, Dr. Karahan, described holding the first tools as both emotional and inspiring. The research will continue with stratigraphic excavations, paleoenvironmental reconstructions, and absolute dating analysis to clarify the age and context of the artifacts.
Elsewhere, events of a different nature unfolded. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred in remote Pacific waters, triggering a tsunami warning. Galatasaray, on the other hand, faced a challenge of a different kind in the UEFA Champions League opener, competing without Osimhen.
In a separate development, Türkiye fined Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, and others for 'morality' violations. The discoveries in Ayvalik, however, serve as a stark reminder of the rich history and potential that lies buried beneath the surface, waiting to be unearthed.
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