Semra BALCI

Semra BALCI is an Associate Professor at Istanbul University, Faculty of Literature, Department of Archaeology, specializing in Prehistoric Archaeology. She has been with the university since 2001, initially as an Assistant Professor and later promoted to Associate Professor. Her research primarily focuses on obsidian technology, Neolithic period archaeology, and chipped stone industry analysis in Central Anatolia.

Dr. BALCI earned her Doctorate from Istanbul University's Institute of Social Sciences in Prehistory/Archaeology between 2001-2007, with a dissertation titled "Central Anatolian Obsidian Technology: The Aşıklı Mound Model, Techno-Cultural Origin and Evolution." She completed her undergraduate studies at Istanbul University's Faculty of Literature, Archaeology and Art History/Prehistory between 1990-1994.

Her research interests center around Prehistoric Archaeology, with particular emphasis on obsidian technology, Neolithic period studies, and chipped stone industry analysis. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Central Anatolia, especially in the Niğde region, focusing on sites like Sırçalıtepe and Eşek Deresi Cave. Her work examines the relationship between obsidian sources, workshops, and settlements, providing insights into prehistoric trade networks and technological evolution. Recent research has expanded to include Epipaleolithic hunter-gatherer societies in the Central Taurus Mountains.

Dr. BALCI has published extensively on these topics, with 74 publications indexed in Web of Science. Her recent work has focused on Neolithic and Epipaleolithic sites in Central Anatolia, particularly examining obsidian technology and settlement patterns. She has led multiple excavation seasons at Sırçalıtepe, an important Aceramic Neolithic site near obsidian sources in Cappadocia, revealing new insights into early human settlement patterns in volcanic regions.

• Member of Türk Eskiçağ Bilimleri Enstitüsü (2013-continues)
• Evaluation Committee Member for Anadolu Prehistorya Araştırmaları Dergisi (2015-continues)
• Active peer reviewer for national scientific journals

Dr. BALCI has led numerous funded research projects through Higher Education Institutions, primarily focusing on prehistoric surface surveys in Niğde and obsidian source identification studies. She regularly presents her findings at national and international conferences, contributing significantly to our understanding of prehistoric Anatolia and maintaining active collaborations with international researchers.