Rural continuity and change in Late Antiquity in Rough Cilicia: A case study on Yanıkhan

Abstract

This study investigates the resilience, adaptability, and continuity of rural settlements in Rough Cilicia during Late Antiquity, focusing on Yanıkhan as a modest yet representative example. Employing an architectural and urban perspective, it analyzes how socio-economic, geographical, and historical turning points shaped settlement patterns over time. The research offers new insights into the integration of Hellenistic urban planning elements and the adaptive use of Late Antique structures, contributing to the understanding of rural dynamics in Byzantine Anatolia.

Drawing on fieldwork, architectural surveys, and historical analyses, the study examines settlement layouts, infrastructure, and construction techniques. By shifting attention from individual buildings to the broader organization of the settlement, it emphasizes the layered and adaptive nature of Yanıkhan’s development. These findings enrich the study of rural settlement continuity and transformation within historical contexts, with implications for understanding similar sites across the region.