1990 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
The Study of Vegetational and Climatic Changes in Greece and Turkey -Especially in Relation to the Rise and Fall of the Civilizations-
| Project/Area Number |
63044099
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for international Scientific Research
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | Joint Research |
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| Research Institution | International Research Center for Japanese Studies (1989-1990)
Hiroshima University (1988) |
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Principal Investigator |
YASUDA Yoshinori Associate Professor, International Research Center for Japanese Studies, 研究部, 助教授 (50093828)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
BOTTEMA S. Professor, Biologisch-Archaeologisch Instituut, Groningen, 教授
VAN Zeist W. グローニンゲン生物考古学研究所, 名誉教授
OHMURA Sachihiro Chief Research Worker, Middle Eastern Cultural Center in Japan, 主任研究員
ZEIST W. Van Emeritus Professor, Biologisch-Archaeologisch Instituut, Groningen
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| Project Period (FY) |
1988 – 1990
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| Keywords | Pollen analysis, / Vegetational history, / Climatic changes, / Civilizations, / Pluvial lake, / Hittite Empire, / Alexander, / Greece, / 9 Turkey, |
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| Research Abstract |
Our joint research project which was aided by a grant under The Monbusho International Scientific Research Program obtained remarkable results in the the vegetational and climatic changes in Turkey and Greece.
Firstly, we found clear evidence of the existence of the huge pluvial lake in the Anatolia plateau around 25000 years B. P. by the coring and pollen analysis of the Tuz Gol.
Secondly, we revealed the environmental background of the birth of the oldest city civilization in the Middle East. The climatic changes around 5000 years B. P., which were cleared by the pollen analytical studies of the Korone moor and Hotusa moor in Greece, have played an important role in the appearance of the oldest city civilization in the Middle East.
Thirdly, the influences of climatic changes around 3000 years B. P. upon the decline of the Hittite Empire was suggested by the pollen analytical studies of the Eruluju moor in Syria and Katuna moor in Greece.
Fourthly, the result, up-to- date, is the discovery of the climatic deterioration in the opening period of the Hellenistic Age. Pollen analytical study of the Kaman site in Turkey revealed that the climate became dry after 2200 years B. P. When Alexander invaded to the Middle East, the people's daily life was in an exhausted condition, because of the dry climate.
Fifthly, pollen analytical studies of the sediment taken from the moors in Turkey and Greece indicated that there was dense forest which was mainly composed by Pinus and Quercus. Present desolated landscape was brought on by the insatiable destruction of the forest by man.
Lastly, in order to widely inform other Japanese researchers about our research, we held a short symposium entitled "Environment and Civilization in the Middle East" on 27, Feb. 1991 in Kyoto.
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