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Crossroads of Trade
History
| The central
Anatolian plateau, ochre-hued, cleft by ravines and dominated by volcanic
peaks, forms the heartland of Turkey. Covered with wheatfields and
outlined with ranks of poplars, the boldly contoured steppe has a solitary
majesty. This plateau was one of the cradles of human civilization. At
Catalhoyuk, remains of settlements from as early as the eighth millennium
B.C. have been unearthed. The homeland of many people and the historic
battleground of East and West; here the Hattis, Hittites, Phrygians,
Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and
Ottomans all fought for their
sovereignty and established their rule. In the 11th century, the migrating
Turks from the east made the plateau their own. During its turbulent
history, Central Anatolia has endured invasion by great conquerors, such
as Alexander the Great and Tamerlane. In the course of ten millennia of
habitation, the denizens of the area have reflected in their art - from
the vigorous paintings of Catalhoyuk and the confident lines of Seljuk
architecture, to, more recently, the impressive modern form of
Ataturk's
mausoleum - the dramatic contours of the surrounding landscape.
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