The Role of Archaeology in the Study of Caucasian Turkish History

Abstract

The Caucasia, located between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, represents one of the most significant intersections between Asia and Europe. Owing to this strategic position, it has historically accommodated various communities, including Turkic groups. Although historical sources provide diverse accounts regarding the settlement of Turks in the region, it remains difficult to trace this presence within a coherent chronological framework. In certain cases, anachronistic information further complicates the understanding of how Turkic settlement in the Caucasus evolved. In particular, the scarcity of reliable evidence in historical records concerning the presence of Turks during Antiquity has led to ongoing scholarly debates.

Archaeological investigations carried out in the Caucasus have yielded material evidence that contributes to a more tangible understanding of the region’s past. These findings not only clarify abstract narratives found in written sources, but also offer insights into the traces of Turkic presence across the region. Nevertheless, the results of such investigations have largely remained confined to excavation reports and have not been widely incorporated into historical research. By integrating archaeological data into their analyses, historians may address the limitations of the textual record. In doing so, they can reconstruct the chronology of Turkic settlement in the Caucasus and identify concrete examples of the material culture associated with these populations.