Geologic mapping and crystal-chemical analysis of Middle-Upper Miocene volcanics in the Sandıklı-Afyonkarahisar region of Turkey, coupled with published zeolite analyses has revealed that western Turkey hosts unique zeolitic mineral assemblages with distinct paragenetic sequences. The present investigation focused on pyroclastic deposits, including low to intermediate potassic trachytic/trachyandesitic tuffs (LPT) and high potassic tephriphonolitic, tephritic, and trachybasaltic tuffs (HPT), each of which contains various styles of zeolites. Optical petrography, X-ray powder diffraction, and chemical analyses have revealed varying degrees of lithification, probably related to differences in initial emplacement temperature, depositional mechanism and thickness, chilling rate, and extent of mafic composition. Zeolitization was further influenced by meteoric flushing in a hydrologically open system. Chabazite in the LPT from the Selçik area occurs extensively as coatings and infillings of pores. Phillipsite in the HPT found in the Ballık, Küfeke, and Ömerkuyu areas dominates the assemblage and is accompanied by chabazite and minor amounts of analcime. Analcime was probably generated by alteration of leucite which is found as a pyrogene mineral. Alkali zeolites or Ca-bearing zeolites formed as a consequence of the addition of Ca and/or the removal of Na (i.e. dissolution of analcime). The paragenetic sequence may be described as: analcime/phillipsite → chabazite → calcite. The characterization of these assemblages may lead to better exploitation strategies for natural zeolitic resources in the region.

Miocene rifting and associated rhyolitic (K-rich) volcanism resulted in the deposition of pyroclastic material in the central Simav graben, near Karacaderbent, Turkey. The pyroclastics were deposited in a lacustrine environment, altered to clinoptilolite-rich tuffs and cross-cut by several transform faults along which hydrothermal fluids circulated. Petrography and quantitative phase analysis by X-ray diffraction show that the Karacaderbent tuff consists mainly of the diagenetic products clinoptilolite, opal CT, smectite, and celadonite. Electron microprobe analyses and cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements confirm the predominance of K-rich clinoptilolite. Near fault zones, clinoptilolite was replaced by authigenic opal CT and alkali feldspar, and the remaining clinoptilolite was enriched in Na. Silicification around fault zones was confirmed by X-ray fluorescence. Zeolitization of K-rich rhyolitic starting materials took place under mildly alkaline, low-salinity conditions, probably in a closed hydrologic system. The subsequent hydrothermal alteration along faults had only a minor impact. The homogeneous nature, large (74–87 wt.%) clinoptilolite content, large CEC, and K-rich composition of the deposit favor exploitation of this material for applications in agriculture, horticulture, and waste-water purification; as feed additives; and as pozzolans for cement production.

The Gümüşköy kaolin clay deposit, located ~40 km northwest of Kütahya, Turkey, has promising reserves for ceramic production. In order to evaluate the potential use of this region, five representative clay samples were collected and characterized with X-ray diffraction, polarized light optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. According to the Chemical Index of Alteration and Plagioclase Index of Alteration, the kaolin samples were formed by strong chemical alteration of the Tavşanlı volcanites. The clays contain kaolinite, illite, pyrophyllite, montmorillonite and minor halloysite, as well as quartz, plagioclase (andesine), biotite, sanidine, rutile and goethite. The clay samples were used for thermal and physical tests. The plasticity, particle-size distributions firing properties (water absorption, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage, dry bending strength, fired bending strength) and colour parameters of the fired samples were determined. The kaolinitic clay samples from Gümüşköy are suitable for making wall tiles, floor tiles and kiln wares after shaping by dry pressing and extrusion.

The Şahin-village clay deposit, situated in the vicinity of Kütahya, western Turkey, has a promising reserve suitable for tile production. In order to evaluate its potential use, 27 clay samples were collected and their mineralogical, chemical, firing and technological properties were evaluated. The reaction of samples with dilute HCl, dispersion in water and their swelling properties were determined. Mineral identification studies were conducted using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analyses (DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Analysis showed that clay minerals are illite, kaolinite and montmorillonite. Non-clay minerals are quartz, muscovite, microcline and goethite. The clay samples consisted mainly of SiO2 and Al2O3 corresponding to about 81–83% (average) because of the presence of clay minerals and quartz, accompanied by a significant amount of iron oxide. Mineralogical, chemical, thermal analysis and technological tests showed that the clays from Şahin village could be used for stoneware tiles, tile and brick-making.

Increasing research in western Anatolia since the 1990s onwards shows that the Neolithic way of life in this region emerged in the first half of the seventh millennium BC and evolved rapidly in the same millennium. Current data indicate western Anatolia, which is located alongside the primary zone of Neolithization in the Near East, has a complex constitution rather than being a bridge or barrier between east and west. In this article, data from past and current excavations in western Anatolia are discussed over time and space. In this context, eastern Thrace, where there are strong connections with west Anatolia, is also included.

An early Neolithic settlement with western Anatolian-type material was recently found on the island of Gökçeada (Imbroz). None of the colonization models indicate that Gökçeada is the most promising island for early colonization. In this article I suggest that the importance of islands may also lie in their symbolic significance. The early Neolithic communities built up place-myths about the islands. Place-myths are closely related to place-images, which are generally derived from visual experiences. Myths enabled a Neolithic community to establish a sense of belonging to the islands. This might have led to permanent settlement of some of the islands.

For a long time, assessments and evaluations of the western Anatolian Early Bronze Age (EBA) have only been based on the excavation results of Tarsus, Karataş-Semayük, Beycesultan, Demircihüyük, and Troy. However, excavations and surface surveys carried out in the last two decades have increased our knowledge enormously. In particular, the excavations of Liman Tepe, Küllüoba, and Seyitömer have made an immense contribution to the establishment of a reliable West Anatolian EBA chronology. The surface surveys have also made it possible to define better the borders of the cultural areas and pottery zones of the region. Based on these new data, new theories are presented here on the cultural and socio-political development of the region, as well as on regional and inter-regional relationships during the EBA.

In this study, we aim to examine past dry and wet events for the western Anatolia, performing local and spatial reconstructions. 17 new black pine site chronologies were developed, May–June precipitation time series were reconstructed for four localities, and the first spatial May–June precipitation reconstruction was achieved for western Anatolia. The long-term local May–June precipitation reconstructions contain mostly one-year and less commonly, two-year drought events. The longest consecutive dry period (AD 1925–1928) in the reconstructed time series for Kütahya lasted four years. Spatial reconstructions revealed that between AD 1786 and 1930 the extreme dry years for all of western Anatolia were AD 1887, 1893, 1794 and 1740. The driest year during the 215-year-long period under consideration was 1887. The wettest years for the entire western Anatolia were determined to be AD 1835, 1876, 1881 and 1901. There is a big overlap between agricultural famine years and dry years as determined from reconstructions. In this context, our study provides a basis for understanding agricultural drought and better management of regional water resources.