Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Geoheritage, cilt.17, sa.3, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Anatolia has served as a continuous centre of human settlement for at least twelve thousand years, as evidenced by archaeological sites such as Göbeklitepe and Çatalhöyük. Throughout its long history, it has been home to a wide array of civilizations, including Troy and the Hittites, dating back to the Bronze Age. For the past millennium, the region has been predominantly inhabited by Turkish and Muslim communities. This rich cultural and historical tapestry has given rise to an abundance of mythological narratives, epics, and legends, many of which are intrinsically linked to the landscape and geological formations of Türkiye. This study examines twenty-seven geomythological sites—referred to here as “geomythosites”—which are officially recognized as cultural assets and included in the national inventory of geological heritage. These sites are categorized based on the thematic nature of their associated stories into four groups: religious, historical, folkloric, and popular. The findings of the study highlight three key observations: 1-Historical and folkloric geomythosites are more prevalent in Türkiye than those in other categories; however, clear distinctions among religious, historical, and folkloric themes are often difficult to establish due to their overlapping characteristics. 2- Given the remarkable richness of myths and legends associated with geological features, geomythology has strong potential to develop rapidly in this region—either as an independent field of study or as a branch of Cultural Geology. 3- Tourism research indicates that sites with compelling narratives tend to attract more visitors. As such, geomythology holds significant promise as a tool for promoting geodiversity and advancing geoconservation awareness among the public.