Belbaşi

The Belbaşi culture and the succeeding Beldibi in southern Anatolia’s Antalya plain formed part of the Natufian culture complex which stretched from Helwan to Southern Anatolia (Clark 1977:48). It was mainly dependent on plants, and it is not clear if they developed agriculture – possibly under influence of the first farming sites in southern Turkey - or remained confined to gathering. Their lithic assemblage were based upon microliths. The Belbaşi culture shows early connection to the Kebaran industry assemblages of Palestine. Like Natufian culture, their settlements were stable, and many later evolved into agricultural villages, such as Jericho’s forerunner Tell es-Sultan, settled around 7800 BC. The Belbaşi culture is distinguished by its coloured paintings on the walls of caves.