ASSESSMENT OF EPI-PALEOLITHIC FINDINGS OF DIREKLI CAVE IN SOUTHWESTERN ASIA ECOLOGICAL NICHE

In considering development and dispersal of the prehistoric cultures, Kahramanmaras region constitutes the northernmost point of Levantine Corridor of the Eastern Mediterranean. Levantine Corridor was populated uninterruptedly since the Lower Paleolithic Period; even though this region has been intensively investigated, expansion of early cultures through this corridor into Anatolia has been mostly overlooked. The aims of the prehistoric survey, commenced in 2006 at Kahramanmaras Province, and at Direkli Cave Excavations in 2007, were to find evidence on the movements along the Levantine Corridor reaching in Anatolia and also to define the cultural chronology of the region. During the course of surveys Lower, Middle, and Late Upper Paleolithic artifacts collected together with Epi-paleolithic materials. Direkli Cave has contributed to Epi-paleolithic chronology of Anatolia with its well stratified finds revealing evidence the latest hunter-gatherers of Anatolia. Moreover, through this work it has been possible to define the place of Direkli Cave within the Southwestern Asian ecological niche.