Information Package / Course Catalogue
Anatolian Civilizations and Cultural Routes I
Course Code: TTS103
Course Type: Non Departmental Elective
Couse Group: Short Cycle (Associate's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 2
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to enable students to understand the cultural heritage of Anatolia, spanning from prehistoric times to the Hellenistic period, within its historical, cultural, and geographical context.

Course Content

The course aims to equip students with the ability to assess cultural heritage sites associated with early civilizations in Anatolia in terms of their potential as cultural routes, destinations, and tourism attractions.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains the importance of Anatolia’s historical and geographical location in the development of civilizations.
2.It describes the civilizations of prehistoric Anatolia, the Assyrian trading colonies, the Hittites, the Phrygians, the Urartians, the Lydians, the Ionians, and the Hellenistic period, highlighting their key characteristics.
3.It links the early-period cultural heritage sites in Anatolia to their historical periods.
4.It examines the concept of a cultural route in the context of Anatolian civilizations.
5.It examines heritage sites associated with the early civilizations of Anatolia from the perspective of cultural tourism and destination promotion.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Sevin, V. Anadolu Arkeolojisi. İstanbul: Der Yayınları.
2.ÇEKÜL Vakfı & Tarihi Kentler Birliği. Kültür Rotaları Planlama Rehberi.
3.Steadman, S. R., & McMahon, G. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Anatolia: 10,000–323 BCE. Oxford University Press.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Anatolia’s role as a bridge between Asia, Europe, and Mesopotamia; the importance of the Anatolian region in terms of migration, trade, cultural exchange, and the development of civilizations.
Week 2 - Theoretical
The concepts of cultural heritage, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, cultural routes, thematic routes, and destinations; the importance of cultural routes from a tourism perspective.
Week 3 - Theoretical
The Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Chalcolithic periods
Week 4 - Theoretical
The Bronze Age and the early urbanization processes in Anatolia; trade, production, metal use, and social organization.
Week 5 - Theoretical
The Kültepe-Kaniš Caravan Route, trade routes, the introduction of writing to Anatolia, Assyrian merchants, and trade networks in Anatolia; examples of early cultural routes
Week 6 - Theoretical
The political, religious, social, and cultural structure of the Hittites.
Week 7 - Theoretical
The political and cultural structure of Anatolia in the post-Hittite period; Late Hittite principalities, rock monuments, reliefs, religious centers, and elements of regional cultural heritage.
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
Assessment of the topics covered in Weeks 1–7. A midterm exam will be administered covering the geographical location of Anatolia, the concept of cultural routes, prehistoric periods, the Assyrian Trade Colonies, and the Hittite and Late Hittite cultures.
Week 9 - Theoretical
The role of the Phrygians in the cultural history of Anatolia; Gordion, the City of Midas, Yazılıkaya/the Midas Monument, the Phrygian Valley, and the Phrygian Trail; the significance of the Phrygian heritage for route tourism.
Week 10 - Theoretical
The political and cultural influence of the Kingdom of Urartu in Eastern Anatolia; Van Castle, Çavuştepe, Ayanis, and water structures; the potential of the Urartu heritage as a cultural route
Week 11 - Theoretical
The role of the Lydians in Western Anatolia; Sardis, the use of money, the Royal Road, trade, and the culture of wealth; an assessment of the Lydian legacy in the context of cultural tourism.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Ionian cities, maritime trade, philosophy, science, art, and urban life; Aegean cultural heritage routes.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Ionian cities, maritime trade, philosophy, science, art, and urban life; Aegean cultural heritage routes.
Week 14 - Theoretical
The political and socio-economic structure and cultural routes of Anatolia under Persian rule.
Week 15 - Final Exam
A final exam will be administered covering Anatolian civilizations, cultural heritage sites, the concept of cultural routes, and the relationship between historical continuity and tourism.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Quiz1%10
Assignment Examination1%10
Midterm Examination1%20
Final Rate1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140342
Quiz2012
Midterm Examination1011
Final Examination1516
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)51
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
OÇ-1
3
2
4
2
4
1
OÇ-2
3
2
4
2
4
1
OÇ-3
3
2
4
2
4
1
OÇ-4
3
2
4
2
4
1
OÇ-5
3
2
4
2
4
1
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026