A Cultural Blend From Pelesets to Philistines in the Eastern Mediterranean

Umut Murat Doğan

Article Details

A Cultural Blend From Pelesets to Philistines in the Eastern Mediterranean

Authors:

Umut Murat Doğan

Publisher:

Kirsehir Ahi Evran University

Main Topics:

Kültür Sosyolojisi | Arkeoloji Bilimi

Journal:

Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.11 Issue Filistin Özel Sayısı, pp.21-33

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341347

pISSN:

2149-0767

Keywords:

Abstract:

 In the nation-state understanding, a nation is defined in a way that leaves behind the multiple ethnic identities it harbours. In the Palestinian-Israeli territories, which have been home to many peoples throughout history due to its geographically highly strategic location, as is the case in the Middle East in general, it is not possible to recognise the nations that exist today with a single ethnic identity. The Pelesetes, who migrated from southern Europe to the eastern Mediterranean coasts with the Migration of Sea Tribes in the Late Bronze Age, are considered the ancestors of todays Palestinians in modern Ancient History literature. Is it correct that the Pelesetes, one of the many warrior peoples who came to the region during this migration process mentioned in the inscriptions and depictions carved on the walls of the Temple of Medinet Habu in Egypt, are referred to as the ancestors of todays Palestinians? This nomadic people must have come to the region not in large masses, but in pioneer warrior groups, established a political authority here, and in time assimilated and fused with the many peoples of the region. The toponomic nomenclature that the Pelesetes gave to the region they settled in led to the linguistic unity of the groups of people of all ethnic identities who settled in this region to be called Palestinians. Therefore, it would not be surprising that the historical Pelesetts have traces in the ethnic roots of the people living within the borders of the State of Israel as well as the Palestinians today. This scientific perspective reveals the fact that the Israeli-Palestinian war, one of the most burning problems of todays world, is in fact a fratricidal conflict whose roots go down to the deep well of history.

 In the nation-state understanding, a nation is defined in a way that leaves behind the multiple ethnic identities it harbours. In the Palestinian-Israeli territories, which have been home to many peoples throughout history due to its geographically highly strategic location, as is the case in the Middle East in general, it is not possible to recognise the nations that exist today with a single ethnic identity. The Pelesetes, who migrated from southern Europe to the eastern Mediterranean coasts with the Migration of Sea Tribes in the Late Bronze Age, are considered the ancestors of todays Palestinians in modern Ancient History literature. Is it correct that the Pelesetes, one of the many warrior peoples who came to the region during this migration process mentioned in the inscriptions and depictions carved on the walls of the Temple of Medinet Habu in Egypt, are referred to as the ancestors of todays Palestinians? This nomadic people must have come to the region not in large masses, but in pioneer warrior groups, established a political authority here, and in time assimilated and fused with the many peoples of the region. The toponomic nomenclature that the Pelesetes gave to the region they settled in led to the linguistic unity of the groups of people of all ethnic identities who settled in this region to be called Palestinians. Therefore, it would not be surprising that the historical Pelesetts have traces in the ethnic roots of the people living within the borders of the State of Israel as well as the Palestinians today. This scientific perspective reveals the fact that the Israeli-Palestinian war, one of the most burning problems of todays world, is in fact a fratricidal conflict whose roots go down to the deep well of history.

 In the nation-state understanding, a nation is defined in a way that leaves behind the multiple ethnic identities it harbours. In the Palestinian-Israeli territories, which have been home to many peoples throughout history due to its geographically highly strategic location, as is the case in the Middle East in general, it is not possible to recognise the nations that exist today with a single ethnic identity. The Pelesetes, who migrated from southern Europe to the eastern Mediterranean coasts with the Migration of Sea Tribes in the Late Bronze Age, are considered the ancestors of todays Palestinians in modern Ancient History literature. Is it correct that the Pelesetes, one of the many warrior peoples who came to the region during this migration process mentioned in the inscriptions and depictions carved on the walls of the Temple of Medinet Habu in Egypt, are referred to as the ancestors of todays Palestinians? This nomadic people must have come to the region not in large masses, but in pioneer warrior groups, established a political authority here, and in time assimilated and fused with the many peoples of the region. The toponomic nomenclature that the Pelesetes gave to the region they settled in led to the linguistic unity of the groups of people of all ethnic identities who settled in this region to be called Palestinians. Therefore, it would not be surprising that the historical Pelesetts have traces in the ethnic roots of the people living within the borders of the State of Israel as well as the Palestinians today. This scientific perspective reveals the fact that the Israeli-Palestinian war, one of the most burning problems of todays world, is in fact a fratricidal conflict whose roots go down to the deep well of history.

 Ulus Devlet anlayışında bir millet içinde barındırdığı birden çok etnik kimliği geride bırakacak şekilde tanımlanır. Ortadoğunun genelinde olduğu gibi coğrafi açısından son derece stratejik bir konumda olduğu için tarih boyunca birçok halka ev sahipliği yapan Filistin-İsrail topraklarında bugün var olan ulusların da tek bir etnik kimlikle anılması mümkün değildir. Geç Tunç Çağında yaşanan Deniz Kavimleri Göçü ile birlikte güney Avrupadan Doğu Akdeniz kıyılarına göç eden Pelesetler modern Eskiçağ Tarihi literatüründe bugünkü Filistinlilerin atası olarak kabul edilir. Mısırdaki Medinet Habu Tapınağının duvarlarına kazınmış olan yazıt ve betimlerde sözü edilen bu göç sürecinde bölgeye gelen birçok savaşçı halktan biri olan Pelesetlerin söylendiği gibi bugünkü Filistinlilerin atası diye anılması doğru mu? Bu göçebe halk büyük kiteler halinde değil de öncü savaşçı gruplar hainde bölgeye gelip burada bir siyasal otorite kurmuş ve zamanla yörenin birçok halkı arasında asimile olarak kaynaşmış olmalıdır. Pelesetlerin yerleştikleri bölgeye verdikleri toponomik isimlendirme zamanla bu yöreye yerleşen her türden etnik kimliğe sahip halk gruplarının belirli bir dil birliği içinde Filistinliler denilmesine sebep olmuştur. Dolayısıyla tarihi Pelesetlerin bugünkü Filistinler kadar olasılıkla İsrail Devleti sınırları içinde yaşayan halkın da etnik köklerinde izinin olması hiç şaşırtıcı olmayacaktır. Bilimin iz verdiği bu bakış açısı, bugünkü dünyanın en yakıcı sorunlarından biri olan İsrail-Filistin savaşının esasında, kökleri tarihin derin kuyusuna inen bir kardeş kavgası olduğu gerçeğini göz önüne sermektedir.

Article Details

A Cultural Blend From Pelesets to Philistines in the Eastern Mediterranean

Authors:

Umut Murat Doğan

Publisher:

Kirsehir Ahi Evran University

Main Topics:

Kültür Sosyolojisi | Arkeoloji Bilimi

Journal:

Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.11 Issue Filistin Özel Sayısı, pp.21-33

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341347

pISSN:

2149-0767

Palastine

Pelesets

East mediterranen

See people migration

Late Bronze AgeFilistin

Pelesetler

Doğu Akdeniz

Deniz Kavimleri Göçü

Geç Tunç Çağı

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Umut Murat Doğan

Publisher: Kirsehir Ahi Evran University

Main Topics: Kültür Sosyolojisi | Arkeoloji Bilimi

Journal: Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.11 Issue Filistin Özel Sayısı, pp.21-33

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 2/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001341347

pISSN: 2149-0767

Issues

Authors:

Umut Murat Doğan

Publisher:

Kirsehir Ahi Evran University

Main Topics:

Kültür Sosyolojisi | Arkeoloji Bilimi

Journal:

Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi Vol.11 Issue Filistin Özel Sayısı, pp.21-33

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341347

pISSN:

2149-0767