Agriculture and animal husbandry have been practiced on Gökçeada, the world’s first Cittaslow island, for 8,800 years

Archaeologists have discovered evidence indicating that agriculture and animal husbandry were practiced 8,800 years ago on Gökçeada, the world’s first Cittaslow island.

Archaeologists researching the food economy at Uğurlu-Zeytinlik Mound, located on Gökçeada, Türkiye’s largest island, have made significant findings.

The excavations have been ongoing since 2009 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Burçin Erdoğu from the Department of Archaeology at Akdeniz University, with the permission of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Excavation Director Prof. Dr. Erdoğu stated that their studies this year have revealed that the first settled communities based on agriculture and animal husbandry in the region date back 8,800 years.

Erdoğu noted, “It is understood that this early community, which arrived on the island from the mainland during a period when sea levels were lower than today, brought domesticated animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as grains like wheat and barley. The data obtained suggest that the community primarily engaged in animal husbandry, practiced agriculture to a lesser extent, hunted and gathered over a wide area, and partially relied on fishing for sustenance.”

He explained that the first community settled on the island lived in round-plan, sunken-floored buildings, with lime-plastered floors and walls made of wood and reed weaving.

Erdoğu added that this community had no involvement in pottery production, stating, “It has been understood that this community utilized techniques that required specialization and skill in the production of chipped stone tools. Additionally, the presence of obsidian, agate, and jade used for both tool-making and ornaments in the settlement provides evidence of an early trade based on exchange.”

Cover Photo: AA