With its climate of four seasons, its flora comprising thousands of species, with its fertile lands, Turkey is one of the most ancient lands if inhabitance. In the Karain cave near Antalya, archaeological excavations have revealed works dating back to the Paleolithic ages, which is assumed to have started two million years ago, and to have ended ten thousand years back from today. In the Yarımburgaz cave in the lower Euphrates region too, excavations have revealed imprints concerning the Paleolithic Age. The Mezzolithic Age, which is distinguished by its coloured paintings on the walls of caves, has presented itself during excavations at Tekeköy, Belbaşı and Beldibi. The most significant centre of inhabitance in the ancient Middle East and the Aegean dating back to the Neolithic Age, has been discovered at Çatalhöyük, 52 km south - east from Konya. Excavations here have brought to light houses, household utensils, statues and wall paintings dating back to 6800 - 5700 B.C. Another Neolithic Age centre of settlement in Anatolia is Hacılar, 25 km south - west of Burdur. In Hacılar, apart from remains of the Neolithic Age, some copper and stone objects and painted clay objects from the early Calcolithic Age have also been encountered. Excavations at Beycesultan at Denizli, Alişar at Yozgat, Alacahöyük at Çorum have revealed works of the Late Calcolithic Age. Tilkitepe at Van has been know for its works of the Middle Calcolithic Age. Excavations at Canhasarı near Karaman have revealed works of all three eras of the Calcolithic Age.
Anatolia stepped into the Early Bronze Age during the late 4 th century and the early 3rd century B.C Works produced during this period when all kinds of metals were used, which were discovered in Alacahöyük, Eskiyapar, Arslantepe, Kültepe, Mahmatlar, Kayapınar, Horoztepe, Dündartepe, Alişar, Beycesultan, İkiztepe, Ahlatlıbel an Karaoğlan are exhibited in our museums. As of 1950 B.C., Anatolia entered the period of written history. A rich cultural and commercial exchange between the Assyrians and the Late Hatties in Anatolia took place during the period of the Assyrian Trade Colonies. Close to twenty trade centres (Karums) were astablished. The Kaniş karum at Kültepe was the most important centre Many remains left over from this period have been found at Kültepe, Acemhöyük, Alişar and Boğazköy excavations.
In 1750 B.C., the Hittites established the first state in Anatolia run by central authoritv. T'he capital of this state, known as the Ancient Hittite Kingdom, was Hattushash - Boğazköy. The Ancient Hittite Kingdom lost its strength over the years, but during the second half of the 2nd millenium B.C., regained strength and founded the Hittite Empire. The Hittite Empire fell during the 1200's B.C. due to immigration from the Aegeon. Of the Hitites who fled from the. attacks, a portion continued their existance as a state in the Tauruses, up to 700 B.C. Hittite remains have been found in excavations carried out at Boğazköy, Alacahöyük, Eskiyapar, İnandık, Maşathöyük, Kargamış, Zincirli, Arslantepe, Karatepe, Sakçagözü and other regions under the Hittite influence. The Phryges, who conquered the Hittites, occupied part of Anatolia during 1200-700 B.C. Their centre of authority was in Gordion, near Ankara. They lived their golden age during the second half of the 8th century B.C. At the beginning of the 7th century B.C. they lost strength due to the Kimmer attacks. They first came under Lydian occupation and then were wiped out from history during the 550's B.C. by the Persians. The most important remains from the Phrygians have been found in Gordion. The Phrygians were in existance between the years 750-300 B.C.
The Urartus who farmed a state surrounding Lake Van with their capital Tushba (Van) in the early 1 st millenium B.C. contributed greatly to our cultural inheritance. The Urartus who lived their golden age during the 9th - 8th centuries B.C., were especially experienced in ivory works. Urartian works discovered at Altıntepe, Toprakkale, Ç'avuştepe, Adilcevaz, Patnos, Kayalıdere and other Urartian towns exhibited in our museums. The Urartu state expired in the 600's B.C. and the Persians took over Anatolia. Persian occupation continued during 545-333 B.C.
Together with the Dor migration in the late 2nd millenium B.C., the first Hellenic colonies were established in western Anatolia. Starting from 1050 B.C., İonic civilization gained dominance in western Anatolia. The Karia, Lykia and Lydia civilizations lived their golden age during the 7th – 6th centuries B.C. The Lydians, who established a state in the Aegean region towards 700 B.C. with Sardes as their capital, produced the first gold and silver coins in history. The Lydians were overthrown by the Persians in 546 B.C. However, the Lydian civilization continued to be effective until 300 B.C. During the Persian occupation of western Anatolia, a Greco - Persian style emerged through the merge of the Greek and Persian cultures.
With the incasion of Anatolia by Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic period (330-30 B.C.) started in Anatolia.
During this period, the towns in the Aegean region enjoyed many architectural masterpieces the art of sculpture developed. Starting from 30 B.C, there came the Roman civilization and there occured a great development in culture. After the Roman Empire split into two in the year 395, the Byzantine period and cultural imprints of this era spread through Anatoia. In parallel to the spreading of Christianity we see great development in religious buildings and works of art. The Byzantine period came to an end with the conquest of Istanbul in 1453 by the Turks.
The Turks started to settle in Anatolia during the period of the Great Selçuk Empire in the early 11th century. The Malazgirt victory in 1071 against the Byzantines opened the doors for the Turks into Anatolia. During the era of the Turkish Selçuks (1075-1318), who were a continuation of the Great Selçuk Empire, existing towns were restored, and new ones were built. Priority was given to religious buildings required by the Moslem religion, educational facilities, and hospitals. When the Turkish Selçuks State collapsed upon losing strength due to Mongolian attacks, the Era of Turkish States (1318- 1453) began. During this period, the Selçuk school of art continued and many important pieces of work were completed. A great development was achieved in glazed tiles and ceramics. The Ottomans, who established first a state in 1299, and later an empire, attained unity throughout Anatolia during the reign of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. During the period of prosperity starting with Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, the empire extended from Central Europe into Iran, from Crymeria to the South African coasts. The Ottoman Empire, while extending its own culture to these new lands, at the same time adopted features of those cultures into its own, thus leading to a rich mosaic of culture. As a result of the nationalistic wave which dominated Europe after the French Revolution, all nations started to take precautions to preserve its own culture and to achieve independence upon its own lands. As nations under the realm of the Otoman Empire began to win their freedom one by one, it is observed that a certain importance was attributed to Turkish culture.
During World War I (1914-1918), the Ottoman Empire, together with its allies, was defeated. Its lands fell under invasion. After the War of Independence led by Great Atatürk, the Turkish Republic was established on 29 October 1923. The Turkish Republic had inherited a rich cultural background from the Ottoman Empire. Atatürk commenced important studies in revealing, preserving and publicizing this inheritance. The Turkish Language and History Institutions were established. The Faculty of Letters, History and Geography were opened to education. Great importance was given to the establishment and development of museums. The Topkapı Palace and Ayasofia were turned into museums. Archaeological excavations were encouraged and many findings were put into museums. As of 1994, the number of archaeological ruin sites has risen to 525, the number of public museums to 184, private museums to 80, and the number of items exhibited in museums are 2.456 691.
Turkey, as the birthplace of many civilizations and its cultural diversity, has an important place among the countries of rich cultures in the world. Great steps have been taken in tourism by combining its natural beauty with its cultural richess. Ancient works of art receive utmost importance besides Turkish ones. Today, although many of the Turkish works of art in the Balkans and Central Europe have been destroyed, all works of art in Turkey, regardless of their artistic value are under preservation.
Turkey contains thousands of works of art considered masterpieces. Among the 7 Wonders of the World, the Ephesus Artemis Temple and the Halicarnassos
Bodrum Mausoleum used to be in Turkey. Among other invaluable works of art, many of the pices concerning these two masterpieces are now exhibited in impotant museums in the world. If one were to assemble the most valuable of glazed tiles and porcelain in Turkey, one would end up with volumes of material. Seaside residences, mansions, mosques, religious schools, fountains, wooden pulpits, clothing would never be able to fit into books. This book attempts to give a summary of our cultural richess. A portion of our cultural inheritance, regardless of it being national or of foreign origin, is presented first to our own nation, then to others for their appeal. Readers who are aware of the rich cultural heritage of our country will surely realize the difficulty in making a choice between pieces of work that should take place in this album.
