Abstract
This study presents the effects of the Little Ice Age (LIA) from ca. 1300 to the mid-nineteenth century in the Cappadocia Vicinity, Turkey and surrounding area. Using historical and geographic data, it focuses on important social-economic problems during the cold period corresponding to the LIA and also the small-scale glacial expansion of Aladağlar Mts. south of Niğde. Archive records of the vicinity together with the literature were examined, and significant historical events were determined. A digital elevation model (DEM) map was drawn up from 1/25,000-scale topographical maps of the Aladağlar Mts. and aerial photos. Socio-economic problems such as drought, famine, breakdown in public order, and epidemics occurred around Cappadocia during the LIA, along with transportation difficulties due to heavy snowfall. Moraines on the Aladağlar Mts. that were created by the deposition of glacial melts are striking due to their newly formed appearance and are located immediately behind the old moraines and on valley slopes at elevations between 3000 and 3100 m. These moraines have advanced 20–50 m along the valleys. The small-scale advance of glaciers in mountainous areas, hardships caused by colder conditions in the lowlands, and difficulties of human adaptation are all important indicators of the LIA.
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COA: Cumhurbaşkanlığı Osmanlı Arşivi (Turkish Presidency State Ottoman Archives, henceforth cited as COA), Istanbul.
ŞD: Şura-yı Devlet (Ottoman Council of State, henceforth cited as ŞD)
Y.MTV: Yıldız Sarayı arşiv defterleri (Yıldız Palace archive ledgers, henceforth cited as Y.MTV. Yildiz Palace is a former imperial Ottoman pavilion in Istanbul that was the residence of the Sultan in the 19th century).
DH.MKT: Dahiliye Nezareti Mektubi Kalemi (Ottoman Ministry of the Interior archive records, henceforth cited as DH. MKT).
MV: Meclis-i Vükela Mazbataları (Meclis-i Vükela was the person who met under the presidency of the applicant or Grand Vizier, discussed important affairs of state, and kept records, henceforth cited as MV).
DH.İ.UM: Dâhiliye Nezareti Mektubi Kalemi (General administration of the Ministry of the Interior in the Ottoman Empire, henceforth cited as DH.İ.UM).
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Y.PRK.AZJ: Yıldız Perakende Evrakı Arzuhal ve Jurnaller (Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives catalog name, henceforth cited as Y.PRK.AZJ. This document concerns the petitions and intelligences).
Y.PRK.ML: Yıldız Perakende Evrakı Maliye (Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives catalog name, henceforth cited as Y.PRK.ML. This document concerns the finance).
Y.PRK.TNF: Yıldız Perakende Evrakı Ticaret ve Nafiya Nezareti Maruzatı (Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives catalog name, henceforth cited as Y.PRK.TNF. This document concerns exposures to the Ministry of Trade and Public Works).
Y.PRK.İKTS: Yıldız Perakende Evrakı İktisad (Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives catalog name, henceforth cited as Y.PRK.İKTS. This document concerns the economy).
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BOA, Dâhiliye Nezareti Mektubi Kalemi DH. MKT, 1470/4, 1.
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COA, Y.PRK. KOM, 5/31, 1
COA, Y. PRK. AZJ, 13/15, 1
COA, Y. PRK. ML, 8/3, 1.
COA, Y. PRK.UM, 10/22, 1.
COA, Y. PRK .MV, 21/67, 1.
COA, Y. PRK. TNF, 2/8, 1.
COA, Y. PRK. İKTS 8/398, 1.
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Bayer Altın, T., Kaya, M. Climatic and social change during the Little Ice Age in Cappadocia Vicinity, Southern Central Anatolia, Turkey. Reg Environ Change 20, 16 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-020-01604-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-020-01604-x