From the findings resulting from the archeological digs carried out in and around Antalya, it has been ascertained that the region was inhabited 50 thousand years ago. The proof was uncovered in the Karain Cave situated near Yagcikoy, 27 km north-west of Antalya. Remains of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze ages were unearthed in this cave.The Hitites, who are believed to have come to Antalya from the Caucasus and Mesopotamia, exercised sovereignty over Antalya during the years 2500-1400 B.C.
Historical maps of the region during the years 2000-1400 B.C. show that the Kingdom of the Hitites encompassed Antalya. The tribes which came from Trakya during the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. put an end to the Hitite Civilization, and the city states of Pamphylia, Lycia and Cicilia were founded. Today's province of Antalya entirely covers Pamphylia, while parts overlap into southern Pisidya, western Cicilia and eastern Lycia.
While the origins of the people of the region were not precisely known, it is believed they were composed of various groups from Anatolian tribes and a Trakya tribe called Phyrgians. The word "Pamphylia" is of Greek origin and is composed of "pan" meaning many and "phyla" meaning race. In the 9th and 8th centuries B.C. two waves immigrated to Anatolia from Greece resulting in many cities and centers of civilization being established.
Today about 100 of these can be found within the boundaries of Antalya. From the 7th century to the year 546 B.C. Antalya was under the sovereignty of the Lydians, when it was replaced by that of the Persians.The Macedonian commander Alexander the Great put an end to this sovereignty in 336, when he conquered all the cities of the region (with the exception of one or two fake rolex watches places like Termessos). When Alexander died in 323 B.C., a war which was to last for several years started between his generals and this continued until 188 B.C.
At this time the Seleucid King Anti ochus 3rd was conquered by the King of Bergama and signed the Apamea peace treaty. The King of Bergama Attalos II (159-138 B.C.) rebuilt the existing city and the one we know today as Antalya came into being. From that time on it has been known successively as Attaleis, Adalia, Adalya and finally Antalya.
