Traces of Neandertals found in Aegean Sea

Findings from 200,000 years ago that have been discovered during Sürmecik excavations, which were initiated after fossils found in the Aegean province of Ushak’s Banaz district, are expected to shed light on the lifestyle of Neanderthal people who lived in the Paleolithic age.

Harun Tashkiran, the head of the Archaeology Department at Ankara University, said they found many artifacts from the Paleolithic age in the Surmecik excavation field, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Tashkıran said the area has become a very special field for the Aegean region and also Turkey that shed light on the Paleolithic age.

“We have been working for two years in a field that was discovered by chance. We have so far collected some 80,000 pieces and among them 30,000 are suitable for display,” he added.

Tashkiran said that among the findings unearthed this season are a hand axe and arrow head that Neanderthals used to hunt.

“Previously we could only go back to the early Bronze Age in Ushak and its surroundings. There are also some places dating back to late Neolithic age. But now thanks to Surmecik findings we have moved the history of the city back to 200,000 years ago. Sürmecik is an extraordinary place of Paleolithic findings. The Aegean region does not have any other big open-air settlement like this with so many artifacts,” he added.