MOVING STONES
Hello,
We would like to share with you brief information about the "Moving Stones"
project. The project is about the: "Anatolian Neolithic and its Transmission to Europe and the "Intercultural Dialogue" established primarily among scientists. The project activities are designed to contribute to the greater visibility and recognition of these two phenomena in the wider public and to open new horizons for the dialogue. To better convey the project content, let us elaborate on certain conceptions including the Neolithic, Anatolian Neolithic, Transmission of the Neolithic to Europe, and World Heritage. Then, we will summarize the project under the headings “Formation of the Project,” “Objectives,” “Target Audience,” “Activities” and “Outputs”.
What is the Neolithic Age?
The Neolithic Age is one of the most remarkable stages in cultural history, in which humanity adopted a production-based sedentary life, leaving behind the nomadic life of hunters and gatherers. This is an exciting journey of civilization through thousands of years of culture, marked by a new order based on architecture, arts and crafts, specialization, division of work, social organization etc., including myriads of try-hard inventions.
The importance of Anatolia in wider recognition of the Neolithic era
With tens of Neolithic settlements and countless unearthed artifacts, Anatolia witnessed a process of civilization dating back to more than 15,000 years. Scientists predict that these figures will increase. About fifty years ago, scientists thought that the Neolithic culture emerged south of the Fertile Crescent, i.e. across the South Levant (contemporary Lebanon), Palestine, Israel and Northern Syria, Northern Iraq (Mesopotamia) and contemporary West Iran, suggesting that the Upper Mesopotamia stepped into the Neolithic through this region. However, concentrated scientific efforts of the past two decades have revealed that the Southeast Anatolia and Central Anatolia were two independent “core regions” in the emergence and development of the Neolithic civilization. That is, hunter and gatherer communities adopted a sedentary life in Anatolia, gradually building the milestones of the journey of civilization, and the Neolithic culture spread over Europe through Anatolia.
The importance of the Anatolian Neolithic in the globalization of the Neolithic culture
The Neolithic life that emerged in two core regions, namely Southeast Anatolia and Central Anatolia, thrived over thousands of years and spread to the west. The Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara and Thrace saw the foundations of new Neolithic lifestyles compatible with local conditions. As this spread proceeded through Cyprus and Crete to the Mediterranean, Southeast Europe through the Balkans, later extending to the Britain and Scandinavia, it fostered the formation of new Neolithic settlements and lifestyles in line with the local conditions of every region. Thanks to this process, the Neolithic culture ushered in a new era in its journey of globalization.
Anatolian Neolithic as a Common Heritage of Humanity
Today, this historical heritage, located within the territory of contemporary Turkey, is twice World Heritage because the “Neolithic Revolution” also witnessed the beginning of the history of all civilizations alongside its cultural significance for all humanity.
How the “Moving Stones” project was shaped
“Neolithic Age Research” provides continuous new data on how civilization emerged. These studies are among the most dynamic areas of scientific research, involving scientists from different disciplines, especially archeology. This dynamism is a productive basis for intercultural dialogue, joint efforts, solidarity and sharing that crosses borders, based on humanity's shared cultural heritage.
The prospect of contributing to the greater visibility and recognition of these joint scientific efforts that cross borders, knowledge revealed, and the “Anatolian Neolithic and its Transmission to Europe” formed the subject matter of the project.
Project objectives
- Contribute to the higher visibility and broader recognition of the “Anatolian Neolithic World Heritage and its Transmission to Europe” in Turkey,
- Open new horizons for the intercultural dialogue on this basis,
- Bridge scientific studies and social segments,
- Promote awareness of preservation and strengthening of the sense of belonging,
- Produce durable materials, especially a "Documentary Film", which will continue to serve the Project objectives at home and abroad after the project is finalized.
Target group
The project's audience is not limited to scientists.
To be more accurate: As the project aims to share the knowledge revealed by institutional and scientific efforts with the social segments of all ages and groups at home and abroad, the target audience has been determined from this perspective.
Main Project Activities & Outputs
- The project will be open for continuous public access in three languages through the website. The subject matter and project activities will be available on the website in various formats including site photographs, spot productions, short films and documentaries with language options and Internet versions.
- Scientists conducting Neolithic Age research from Turkey and EU member countries will meet at conferences in Sofia, Athens and Istanbul on "Anatolian Neolithic and its Spread in Europe".
Short films will be produced for each conference, covering the topics "Anatolian Neolithic Heritage”, its spread to Europe and project activities. The requests of guests and participants to display these films outside of the conference will also be fulfilled for free.
These meetings will place emphasis on the participation of in-field students and young graduates, relevant NGOs, media professionals specializing in this subject, local historians and researchers, and social segments that are sensitive to historical heritage. - The project team will also focus on PR work to achieve the project objectives. Supplemented with visual materials, periodical bulletins will be provided to both national and international media.
- A documentary film will be produced about the “Anatolian Neolithic Heritage and its Spread to Europe”. The documentary film will be the first one to cover this subject from a holistic perspective. Turkish, English, French language options and internet versions will be available.
The shooting, which began in June 2019, has been continuing for five months over the excavation schedule and will continue.
Until October 9, 2019, fifteen Trainees, selected among locals of various regions, joined the documentary team to gain experience and awareness.
The documentary film will be displayed at the project's finale, with extensive events to be organized at the halls in Ankara, Sanliurfa and Istanbul. With a protocol to be signed, authors will transfer the free and unlimited non-commercial display rights of the film in any environment, preserving the creative rights.Therefore, after the project’s completion and in line with the project objectives, the documentary film will continue to reach a wide audience via national and local TV channels, as well as screening events in halls and festivals both at home and abroad.
