bilig-34/ Summer 2005

Ancient Caravan Routers Connecting the Basins of Kızılırmak and Auphrates

Assoc. Prof.Dr. A. Tuba ÖKSE

Abstract: An Ancient Caravan Route Connecting the Kızılırmak Region to the Euphrates Region: Field surveys carried out within the Sivas region showed that natural roads passing through the region connected Central Anatolia to Eastern Anatolia through the ages. The roads from the North-Central Anatolia pass through the plains of Çekerek, Yıldızeli and Yıldız. A second road connects the South-Central Anatolia to Eastern Anatolia, passing through the plains of Gemerek and Şarkışla, Sivas, Hafik and Zara. A third road connects Yıldızeli to the Kızılırmak Valley over the plateaus. In this region, Kızılırmak can be crossed on a horse back. The road continues to the south through Şarkışla and Altınyayla, passes through a pass of the Kulmaç Mountains, runs along the Balıklıtohma valley and reaches Malatya. A fourth road connects Sivas to Malatya over Taşlıdere, Ulaş, Kangal and Alacahan. These routes have been used since the middle of the 3rd Millennium BC. In the Early Bronze Age and during the Assyrian trade Colonies these roads were used for commertial purposes; the Hittites used these roads also for military and protected some passes by fortified sites. In the Medieval times and during the Ottoman Era caravanserays were built on these roads. Modern highways and railways still pass through these natural routes.

Key words: Anatolia, Halys, Euphrates, Sivas, Caravan Routes