Ankara and Central Anatolia General 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.