The distribution
The first two rock paintings were discovered in 1994. In the meantime, their number has increased to 170. These pictures are the first evidence of prehistoric paintings in western Asia Minor. Their area of distribution includes the mountainous landscape between Lake Bafa and the valley of the Çineçay, the ancient river Marsyas. The main cluster lies in the south-western and north-eastern foothills and peripheral summits of the main mountain range around the Tekerlekdağ (1-3). It is striking in this connection that the rock paintings are concentrated along ancient roads crossing the mountains. All in all eight centres with paintings have been found:
The first two rock paintings were discovered in 1994. In the meantime, their number has increased to 170. These pictures are the first evidence of prehistoric paintings in western Asia Minor. Their area of distribution includes the mountainous landscape between Lake Bafa and the valley of the Çineçay, the ancient river Marsyas. The main cluster lies in the south-western and north-eastern foothills and peripheral summits of the main mountain range around the Tekerlekdağ (1-3). It is striking in this connection that the rock paintings are concentrated along ancient roads crossing the mountains. All in all eight centres with paintings have been found:
1. the valley of the Söğütdere with its side valleys to the south of the hamlet of Söğütözü,
2. the plateau of Bozalan and the Karadere,
3. the plateau of Kovanalan,
4. the southern slope of the mountain in the district of Yediler,
5. Balıktaş and Kavaklıdere to the north-east of the village of Karahayıt,
6. the northern and eastern shore of Lake Bafa,
7. the southern slope of the range in the vicinity of the mountain village of Sakarkaya and
8. the area between Çayırlık Mevkii and the surroundings of Bağarcık-Kalesı to the north of the Anadolu Pass.
Of the sites where rock paintings were found, the following ones are presented here: Bafa Konağı, Balıktaş, Ballıkkaya, Çayırlık Mevkii, Çobanlar Mevkii, Damlıyurt, Daracık, Göktepe, İkizada, Karadere, Kavaklıdere, Kavalan, Kayabaşı, Kerdemelik, Kovanalan, Söğütdere. 2. the plateau of Bozalan and the Karadere,
3. the plateau of Kovanalan,
4. the southern slope of the mountain in the district of Yediler,
5. Balıktaş and Kavaklıdere to the north-east of the village of Karahayıt,
6. the northern and eastern shore of Lake Bafa,
7. the southern slope of the range in the vicinity of the mountain village of Sakarkaya and
8. the area between Çayırlık Mevkii and the surroundings of Bağarcık-Kalesı to the north of the Anadolu Pass.
1) Map showing the distribution of rock paintings.
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